The report says the country continues to export arms to repressive regimes and nations accused of war crimes, despite its stated commitment to peace, human rights and the rule of law.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The report, titled The Great Hypocrisy of SA\u2019s Arms Exports, exposes sales of SA-made weapons to countries under military rule such as Myanmar, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both implicated in the conflict in Yemen.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Atilla Kisla, International Justice Cluster Lead at SALC, told Channel Africa that the findings reveal a \u201cserious contradiction\u201d between South Africa\u2019s legal obligations and its actions. \u201cArms exports are not neutral acts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can perpetuate conflict or contribute to human rights violations or even international crimes like war crimes. As Africa\u2019s top arms exporter, SA carries both a legal and moral responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kisla said the problem lies not in the law itself, but in the failure to enforce it. \u201cSA\u2019s National Conventional Arms Control Act is one of the strictest globally,\u201d he explained. \u201cHowever, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) has repeatedly approved questionable exports.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He added that the Pretoria High Court ruled in 2024 that the NCACC must suspend permits to countries that experience a coup or face credible UN-backed allegations of war crimes. \u201cMore than a year later, there is no indication that any permits have been suspended. This moves beyond a policy failure; it\u2019s now a rule of law issue,\u201d Kisla said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The report also raises concerns about transparency, noting long delays in publishing export data, which hampers public oversight. Kisla said efforts to engage the NCACC have been met with silence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He further warned that SA arms manufacturers cannot hide behind government permits if their exports violate international law. \u201cCorporations can be held accountable if their weapons end up in the wrong hands or are used in human rights violations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The SALC report calls for stricter enforcement, greater transparency, and corporate accountability to ensure that SA\u2019s actions align with its constitutional and international commitments.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
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