Tensions have risen between South Africa and the United States after the US ambassador to South Africa claimed that US intelligence indicated that South African

weapons had been loaded onto a Russian vessel at a Cape Town naval base in December. The South African government has announced an independent investigation into the matter, stating that the ambassador's remarks have undermined the relationship between the two countries.

Pretoria summoned Ambassador Reuben Brigety on Friday to discuss the issue, while also accusing the US of adopting a counter-productive public posture. South Africa's stance on the Ukraine conflict has been questioned by the US, with the US accusing Pretoria of not remaining neutral.

South Africa has maintained a friendly relationship with Moscow, and has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a summit in the country in August, despite the fact that there is an arrest warrant out for him by the International Criminal Court. Photo by TapticInfo, Wikimedia commons.