Cape Town – South Africa’s parliamentary defence and international relations committees will meet with Ministers Angie Motshekga and Ronald Lamola following controversial remarks by SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya during his visit to Iran, a report says.
Maphwanya, whose trip was authorised by Motshekga but not sanctioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa, pledged “common goals” with Iran and said his visit carried “a political message.”
His comments sparked backlash, with both the Presidency and the Department of International Relations distancing themselves from the remarks, calling the trip “ill-advised.”
Yesterday, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, held talks with the Chief of the South African National Defense Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, in Tehran, and announced the readiness to enhance military cooperation between the two… pic.twitter.com/ZnoqYt5pnL
— Ofentse Donald Davhie (@DonaldDavhie) August 13, 2025
According to IOL, Committee chairpersons Dakota Legoete and Supra Mahumapelo expressed concern over a lack of coordination between defence diplomacy and official foreign policy, warning it undermines cohesion in South Africa’s international relations.
They stressed that the SANDF must remain apolitical and stick to its constitutional mandate.
Ramaphosa, reportedly unaware of the visit, is set to meet Maphwanya to address the matter, though the Presidency has not confirmed possible consequences. The DA has called for the defence chief to face a court martial.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
