Dirco's Monyela says sailors don't have passports

DEPUTY Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (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.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

"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.