Cape Town – Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has requested the SA government to deny a Russian oligarch’s superyacht entry to Cape Town port as “a moral duty to do what it can to protest unjust war” in Ukraine.
“I have written to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, requesting her intervention to block the entry of a vessel – owned and sailed by Mr. Alexey Mordashov and bound for Cape Town — into the Republic.”
Hill-Lewis added: “I have also requested that Mr. Mordashov not be allowed to enter the country”.
Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February this year.
At the end of last month, (30 September 2022), Russia unilaterally declared its annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts – Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which make up about 15% (90,000 sq km) of Ukraine.
South Africa has maintained its stance of not taking sides in the conflict and instead calls for dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy, which it says are key to ending the conflict.
However, Mayor Hill-Lewis insisted: “South Africa has a moral duty to do what it can to protest unjust war, state terrorism, and the gross violation of human rights. We must stand up against expansionist imperialism wherever it rears its ugly head.
“This is especially so, in light of our country’s own painful history of imperialism.”
He said the R9 billion superyacht belonging to the Russian oligarch departed Hong Kong last week, bound for Cape Town.
“To the best of our knowledge, Mr Mordashov is aboard the vessel and intends to enter South Africa through the port of Cape Town.
“If this happens, Mr Mordashov — and his luxury yacht — will be considered to be guests of the South African state.
The international community has recognised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its annexation of four areas of Ukrainian territory by force as illegal.
“Clear evidence exists for war crimes and crimes against humanity having been committed by the Russian state against the Ukrainian people, including deliberate attacks against civilian targets, massacres of civilians, torture, and the rape of women and children,” the mayor of Cape Town said.
“Many thousands of people have died and many more have had their homes destroyed and lives torn apart.”
