WATCH | Magwenya speaks on defence chief’s ‘ill-advised’ Iran visit

SANDF

Cape Town – Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says President Cyril Ramaphosa was unaware of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief Rudzani Maphwanya’s recent trip to Iran, calling it “ill-advised” amid efforts to repair strained US relations.

Magwenya clarified that the defence minister, not the president, approved the travel, and warned that Maphwanya’s warm remarks about future military cooperation with Iran could inflame geopolitical tensions.

“As much as the president is the appointing authority and commander-in-chief, he does not get involved in supervising the general’s travel. That process sits with the minister, so the president did not know,” he said.

Ramaphosa will meet Maphwanya next week, with possible court-martial discussions ongoing depending on the severity of the accusations.

The DA has called for his immediate court-martial for breaching neutrality.

On the upcoming National Dialogue’s first national convention, Magwenya said it aims to foster unity, accountability, and action plans for communities, despite withdrawals by several political parties and legacy foundations over funding transparency and planning concerns.

These groups have exited the organising committee but remain committed to the broader dialogue process. Nearly 1,000 delegates are confirmed to attend, and Magwenya stressed that the dialogue’s credibility depends on broad participation, not a handful of organisations.

He also described Ramaphosa’s relationship with former president Thabo Mbeki as professional and cordial.

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