Pandor and Lavrov meeting - South Africa defends planned military drills with Russia and China

This meeting is nothing short of diabolical

South Africa is Russia’s bitch. The entire world knows that now. We are supposed to be neutral in this conflict, but participating in war games with one of the conflicted nations is hardly neutral, particularly as it’s the invading one. Let’s ask Switserland about our so-called neutrality, see what the experts say. I’m just so sick of the amateurs running our country.

Mrs Pandor …you, our President and our entire Cabinet are an embarrassment to thinking South Africans and taxpayers. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!

What a disgrace! Shows the ANC’s true colours. De facto criminals at ease with international criminals like Russia. I wonder if Madam Pandor’s children are proud of her? And her grandchildren? I hope she washed her hands after that handshake with that monster.

How embarrassingly low we have sunk! From being upheld once as a beacon of peace & reconciliation, to this! I guess it's the old loyalty to one's cronies thing, with loyalty and responsibility to the country's citizens tragically non-existent. This has been demonstrated by years of cadre deployment, each getting their chance to steal the resources of this country.

There is nothing "natural" about this. it is an insult to the people of this country and yet again shows the government's incompetence and ignorance. of course, the ANC lapdog media were there to cover this ignominious event. shame again on you ANC politicians.

What an effrontery to suggest these are our friends, Minister Pandor. The man can't even look the camera in the eye for the ubiquitous grip and grin picture.

I will devote myself to prayer. God keep Your glorious Hands over our beautiful country. Establish the just.

Naledi Pandor has sold her soul to the devil. I once admired her, but her performance today, and with it the performance of the ANC government, illustrate the decay in the party that is leading to the total collapse of this country. Ukraine is on fire. We should be breaking ties with Russia, but instead we are to participate in joint operations with the Russian military who are killing our Ukrainian sisters and brothers. No doubt it would deprive the pockets of our top brass of too much were we to take the morally correct stand. I am ashamed to be South African, just as I was throughout the years of apartheid.

This is absolutely shocking! Using the words ‘friends’, and Russia in one sentence makes me want to vomit. It just goes to show the mentality of our ‘leaders’ and current government. After going through the horrors of apartheid, you’d think they would abhor this violence. I hang my head in shame.

I hang my head in shame as someone who lives here and loves this country, but sadly cannot vote. This government would not get my vote anyway. What an utter disgrace! Shame on you #SAGovernment

What a disgrace! Could someone please explain to the comrades that the West's sanctions did more to end apartheid than the military assistance from Russia and China?

How niaive can you be? Do you really think Putin gives a damn about old ties to Russia? He is not your friend! Wake up before it’s too late!

Now they can transfer all the ammo they need without prying eyes at sea. These numbnuts have damned our children's futures for a couple of gold pieces stolen from the public.

I suppose when the ICC charge putin for genocide, the ANC will then again try to take SA out of the ICC saying the system is biased against countries not in the West. Nice friends our bretheren in the ANC keep. Makes me want to cringe in shame.

Disgusting.

Just disgusting! Words fail me! In what worldview can you even think of holding training exercises with a country that starts an invasive war and threatens nuclear action? How do you look yourself in the eye in the mirror Naledi Pandor?! Unbelievable!!

Good reason for squirrel avoiding having to answer questions in Davos?

Naledi. You are infantile. You are simplistic. Not to mention spineless and gutless in failing to stand by your originally correctly expressed reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Re "massive transfer of arms" - what on earth did you expect would happen when a sovereign state was invaded in such brutal fashion by your Russian chums ? Who invaded who here Naledi ? Which bunch of pathetic cowards are shielding under their nuclear umbrella whilst raining down death and destruction on civilian targets all over Ukraine ? Do you have any understanding whatsoever of this conflict when you and your government profess a desire to 'mediate' ? Is there even a single Ukranian who would talk to you right now - not a snowball's chance in hell.

Not dragged into taking side south africa has voluntarily sided with the Russian aggressors in Ukraine. Pariahs of the world unite you have nothing to lose but the good will of worthwhile nations.

Check out the Minsk Agreement. Our country’s position is more correct than incorrect. Check out the breakdown of negotiations by the USA in March. This is very likely to be a proxy war between the USA and Russia, cynically being played out on European soil. Who wins? The military-industrial complex. Arms dealers.

A classic example of how the ANC confuses the party with the state. The ANC is a friend of Russia, therefore South Africa is, too. If SA was really impartial, the government would have nothing to do with any of the parties involved in the war.