SA responds to political row over oligarch's luxury yatch

by geemong Czw Paź 27, 2022 3:21 am

SA responds to political row over oligarch's luxury yatch

South Africa’s presidency has dismissed as “grand-standing” calls by Cape Town’s mayor to block a businessman and friend of President Vladimir Putin from docking his mega yacht in the country.

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The ship, which is sailing from Hong Kong and destined for Cape Town belongs to US-sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov - owner of one of the world’s largest steel businesses.

Mayor Geordin Lewis-Hill has criticised the decision to allow Mr Mordashov's yacht to travel to South Africa, saying the country should not be seen as supporting “Russia’s unjust war”.

Explaining South Africa’s position, presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told the BBC South Africa was only legally obliged to follow sanctions imposed by the UN, not individual countries or trade blocs.

He said that unless Mr Mordashov violated the country’s immigration laws, South Africa had no reason to refuse him entry – like any other business person.

My Magwenya added that "he is not being given any special treatment".

In the eyes of the US, the oligarch is a key part of Mr Putin’s support base.

Announcing the sanctions in June, the White House said the move against Mr Mordashov and members of his family, was “to degrade the key networks used by Russia’s elites, including President Vladimir Putin, to attempt to hide and move money and anonymously make use of luxury assets around the globe”.

Mr Mordashov has been quoted as saying he has not broken any international laws in his business ventures and has had no involvement in Russia’s politics and had little influence with the Kremlin.

The luxury yacht is expected to arrive in Cape Town in the next few weeks, and it is unclear how long it will be allowed to stay.