The controversial frigate Admiral Gorshkov wasn’t welcome in Cape Town’s harbour on Monday en route to the KwaZulu-Natal coast to participate in the joint maritime Exercise Mosi II with the South African and Chinese navies.
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This is according to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who took to Twitter yesterday, making it clear that the Russian warship needed to “voetsek” out of the City’s harbours.
“We are not hosting this warship, nor is it welcome in the Mother City,” Hill-Lewis tweeted. “Cape Town will not be complicit in Russia’s evil war.”
The mayor added added that President Cyril Ramaphosa “must answer for his complicity,” with Russia, adding the hashtag “#VoetsekRussianwarship.”
We are not hosting this warship, nor is it welcome in the Mother City. Cape Town will not be complicit in Russia's evil war. @PresidencyZA must answer for his complicity. #RWSGFY #VoetsekRussianWarship https://t.co/3XOu82xOAL
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) February 13, 2023
These comments were posted in response to a tweet from a Russian organisation which said “Cape Town hosts #Russian frigate ‘Admiral Gorshkov.’ The battleship arrived in the Mother City on its way to Durban where it will participate in joint South African, Russian and Chinese naval drills scheduled for February 17-27.”
This is not the first time Hill-Lewis has expressed unhappiness over Russian vessels docking in Cape Town.
South Africa’s Ukrainian community also made their opinions known as they protested opposite the ship, carrying posters saying “No Russian war games in our waters” and “No Russian missiles.”
Another protest has been scheduled for today.
Last week, the official Russian Tass news agency reported that the Russian navy would test-fire the Zircon during Exercise Mosi II, which is due to commence on Friday.
However, the South African National Defence Force later told the Daily Maverick that, according to the protocol signed by South Africa, Russia and China, no missiles would be fired during the exercise.
According to the Daily Maverick, the controversial vessel motored straight to the refuelling berth in the general harbour upon its arrival on Monday morning. It is further understood that it replenished other supplies following its arduous voyage from Russia, including naval drills in the Atlantic.
While the departure date of Admiral Gorshkov has not been officially announced, naval sources stated that a Russian fuel and water tanker, the Kama, which has been accompanying the frigate, would arrive in Cape Town on Friday.
It is also understood that the Chinese destroyer, frigate and support ship taking part in the exercise will sail directly to Durban.
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Mayor warns of repercussions- war continues as SA says yes to Russian yacht
Picture: ГК РФ в Кейптауне/ Twitter