Deputy Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), Clayson Monyela took to X to clarify the reason the Russian servicemen onboard the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet training vessel, The Smolny, which is in Cape Town on its Africa-Asia voyage, were denied permission to leave the ship and walk on South African soil — he says they do not have passports.

“The reason the sailors are not able to disembark is that none of them have passports. Immigration laws! This is Department of Home Affairs terrain,” Monyela wrote on X, reacting to an earlier story published by IOL.

“Diplomatic relations between the two countries are cordial and excellent! President Ramaphosa and (Russian President) Putin spoke on the phone yesterday on more pressing geopolitical issues,” he continued.

IOL had reached out to Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri for comment on the matter on Thursday. 

Your first story said permission to dock was denied. This was false. I’m glad you’ve corrected it. The reason the sailors are not able to disembark is that none of them have passports. Immigration laws! This is @HomeAffairsSA terrain. Diplomatic relations between the two… https://t.co/VV3GZ1ijw0

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) August 8, 2025

On Thursday, IOL reported that the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK) has called out the Government of National Unity (GNU) for “denying” Russian sailors access, after the Russian giant ship docked in Cape Town. 

It is has been reported that over 300 sailors are confined and denied access to disembark from The Smolny. 

The ship docked in Cape Town on August 5, to restock, replenish, and resupply.

According to the MK party, the ship is carrying cadets on a training mission to sharpen their skills in maritime, communications, and navigation skills, and has made a short visit to South Africa; an act that indicates the Russian government views South Africa as a mutual ally and a partner in friendly trade relations. 

MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said denying access to the port of entry in Cape Town can only strain diplomatic relations between South Africa and Russia. 

“The MK Party distances itself from the so-called GNU’s decision to refuse the Russian sailors port of entry into the City of Cape Town and reaffirms that we cannot support a government that seeks to undermine long-term bilateral ties and trading relations with the Russian state,” Ndhlela said.

The party said South Africa remains neutral on issues about international affairs. 

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, former South African ambassador and seasoned diplomat, Dr Kingsley Makhubela, insisted there would be no legal basis to deny the Russian navy Baltic fleet training vessel entry in Cape Town.

The Smolny, on its first African tour, visited Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe last month, offering guided tours to military, police, students, and local Russians. On July 27, it docked in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, where naval cooperation talks were held.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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