South Africa Brands as Unfair US Politicians’ Call to Punish It for ‘Supporting’ Russia

South Africa Brands as Unfair US Politicians’ Call to Punish It for ‘Supporting’ Russia
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken speaks during a closing press conference with the secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) at the 60th OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris on Oct. 6, 2021. Ian Langston/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Darren Taylor
Updated:
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JOHANNESBURG—The South African government has stated that any “punitive action” taken against it by the Biden administration for Pretoria’s perceived support of Russia in its war against Ukraine would be based on “hysteria, hearsay, and contempt for South Africa’s sovereignty.”

The reaction comes after four powerful U.S. congressmen from the Democratic and Republican parties wrote a letter to senior Washington officials on June 9 effectively asking U.S. President Joe Biden to retaliate against South Africa.