President Cyril Ramaphosa Disassociates Himself from SANDF Chief’s Iran Visit
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has clarified that the President was neither informed about nor authorized South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya’s recent visit to Iran. The trip has sparked controversy due to Maphwanya’s reported comments endorsing Iran’s stance on Gaza and advocating for deeper cooperation between the two nations.
During his visit, Maphwanya met with top Iranian defence officials, expressing solidarity with Iran and criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. He reportedly stated that South Africa and Iran share “common goals” and pledged to strengthen military ties. These comments have been deemed “unhelpful” by Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, as South Africa is currently working to reset its diplomatic relations with the United States.
Magwenya emphasized that the President would meet with Maphwanya within the next week to discuss the implications of his trip. “The visit was ill-advised, and the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,” Magwenya said. The Presidency has distanced itself from Maphwanya’s remarks, stating they do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.
The Democratic Alliance, a partner in the government of national unity, has demanded that Maphwanya face a court-martial for “breaching military neutrality” and making statements that could inflame tensions with the US. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, however, defended the visit, saying there was nothing “rogue” about it, while the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has also distanced itself from Maphwanya’s comments.
The controversy comes amid strained relations between South Africa and the US, with the latter imposing 30% tariffs on South African goods. Ramaphosa’s administration is working to reset diplomatic ties with the US, and Maphwanya’s comments are seen as potentially complicating these efforts
