RW Johnson on SA arms to Russia: Pretoria's torpedo for motor industry, AGOA, ARV supplies - for starters

South Africa's foremost political scientist RW Johnson provides context on the US's accusation that South Africa has been supplying arms to Russia. It's reminiscent of PW Botha's "Rubicon" blunder in August 1985, which sparked massive disinvestment, demand for immediate repayment of foreign debt, an economic collapse and rocketing interest rates. Johnson says Pretoria's actions threaten hundreds of thousands of South African jobs - and lives. Most apparent are SA motor manufacturers whose lifeblood is selling into the USA and Europe. Equally at risk is the country's membership of AGOA which gives SA exporters duty-free access to the US market "as a favour" because, strictly speaking, SA shouldn't qualify. Johnson also points out that millions of South Africans living with HIV/Aids receive antiretrovirals purely through the generosity of US donors - another critical source of goodwill threatened by Pretoria's actions. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices