South Africans demand closure of German arms manufacturing giant — RT Africa


Protests have been organized in Pretoria against Rheinmetall over weapon sales to Israel and Ukraine

A group of demonstrators braved the rainy weather to picket outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria demanding the closure of the Rheinmetall in South Africa and more control over arms sales to Israel and Ukraine.

According to Thuto Mashaba, who led the protest this week, stated this was a continuation of the picket in Boksburg last month, which protested Rheinmetall’s supply of weapons to Israel and Ukraine.

Although the German armaments firm has publicly acknowledged that it supplies weapons to Ukraine, he underlined that activists are extremely concerned that it is still producing artillery shells.

”We demanded that President Cyril Ramaphosa at the very least check the activities of the Rheinmetall plant for compliance with South Africa’s official policy of not intervening in international conflicts or supplying arms to third countries,” Mashaba said.

BlackRock, a US financial corporation, holds the majority of shares in Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM), a multinational arms manufacturer headquartered in Germany with operations in South Africa.

READ MORE:
EU weapons stocks empty – German defense contractor

According to the company’s recent report, the German military’s inventories are being reduced as a result of massive armament sales to Israel and Ukraine.

RDM’s South African division is a major supplier of 155mm ammunition. Israel and Ukraine both purchase weaponry from Rheinmetall’s South African facility.

The US Department of Defense recently announced that South Africa is a member of the Ukraine Defence Contact Support Group (UDCG).

Notwithstanding South African regulations that forbid gun manufacturers from delivering their goods to areas of conflict, this activity is taking place.

See also  Russia could return to Olympics – candidate for IOC chief — RT World News

In a recent statement, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said for the war in the Ukraine where artillery stockpile shortages have been replenished by South African sales.

”As a consequence of our dismal lack of arms control and failure to adhere to our domestic law and regulations, as well as international arms control regulations, we are guilty of enabling genocide.

“The EFF demands that the South African government must, as a matter of urgency, reform our weak, and administratively inept approach to weapons exports, and strengthen the capacity of the NCACC to fulfil its legal mandate,” the EFF said.

READ MORE:
South Africa issues statement on ICJ case against Israel

The red berets said it is simply untenable for South Africa to state in the ICJ that Israel is committing genocide, while weapons manufactured in South Africa supply Israel with the means to commit genocide.

It is currently alleged that Rheinmetall circumvents South Africa’s stringent export regulations by using its international network to divert ammunition from the factory to conflict areas after it is formally sold to Germany or other nations.

IOL tried to get a comment from Rheinmetall but to no avail.

First published by IOL

You can share this story on social media:



Source link

Related posts:

Canada should seek nuclear protection against US – ex-FM — RT World News

Macron’s White House visit a failure – Politico — RT World News

Transgender clinic in India shuts down after USAID funding freeze – media — RT India

Andrew Tate and his brother leave Romania for US — RT World News

France wants in on US-Ukraine resource negotiations – minister — RT World News

Pro-Kiev neo-Nazis to join anti-Kremlin rally in Berlin — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Ethiopia to mend relations with neighbor — RT Africa

CNN presenter accused of hypocrisy over book on Biden’s health — RT World News

Afrikaner group faces treason charges over White House visit — RT Africa

Russia’s ties with the Middle East will keep growing despite all pressure. Here’s why — RT World New...

Listen to gaming’s most important voice standing up to DEI — RT Entertainment

India scouting for critical minerals in Africa and Australia – official — RT India

Ukrainian journalists and artists face travel ban — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

WATCH humanoid robot perform kung fu — RT Entertainment

Former Joe Biden backer to launch new political party — RT World News

Moscow comments on conviction of Bosnian Serb leader — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

New US sanctions on Russia take effect — RT Business News

USAID blew millions on literal ‘pet projects’ in Ukraine – media — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Musk’s father says son ‘not cut out for politics’ — RT World News

Putin speaks of ‘hope’ from US contacts — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

Top Russian banker believes Western sanctions will stay — RT Business News

Putin warns of attempts to sabotage talks with US — RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

90% of USAID contracts to be cut – AP — RT World News

US lawmaker proposes $250 Trump bill — RT Business News

Romanian presidential vote winner asks Trump for help from ‘deep state’ — RT World News

Trump extends Russia sanctions for another year — RT World News

Russia slams ‘light sentencing’ of pro-Ukraine arsonists — RT World News

Trump refuses to guarantee backup for British military — RT World News

FBI withheld ‘thousands’ of Epstein docs – US attorney general — RT World News

Phase 1’ (READ FULL) — RT World News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *