APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief Lawrence Mbatha is in Moscow for a routine engagement between “two military establishments”, SANDF spokesperson Andries Mahapa said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Mahapa said Mbatha has been in Moscow since Monday in line with “a longstanding arrangement” and the visit was “planned well in advance.”
Mahapa said Mbatha was invited by his Russian counterpart Oleg Salyukov, the Russian Ground Forces commander, for a “goodwill visit.”
Mbatha is expected to tour the higher combined Army Academy and the Artillery Military Academy in the Russian capital.
“During this visit, the Chief of the South African Army will also have staff talks with military officials,” Mahapa said.
Mbatha’s visit comes days after US ambassador Rueben Brigety accused Pretoria of supplying ammunition and weapons to Russia last December.
Opposition Democratic Alliance’s shadow defence and military veterans minister Kobus Marais said the three-star general’s trip to Russia “again demonstrates government’s callousness and insensitivity to South Africa’s diplomatic and trade dilemma.”
NM/jn/APA