Cape Town – Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted a formal probe into the Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace and appointed an independent investigative panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the participation of the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026, held in South African waters.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Presidency confirmed that the panel will be led by Justice B.M. Ngoepe as chairperson. He will be assisted by Justice K. Satchwell, Justice M.M. Leeuw and Rear Admiral (JG) P.T. Duze. The panel will report directly to the President.
According to the statement, the probe follows “the failure to heed the instruction by the President that the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in South African waters.”
The Presidency said the decision to relocate the inquiry from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency was taken “to ensure an independent and timeous probe.”
The statement reiterated that the President, “in terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.”
The panel has been tasked to “investigate and make recommendations in relation to the circumstances surrounding the exercise, the factors that may have contributed to the failure to observe the President’s order, person or person’s responsible and the consequences to follow.”
It will have the authority to summon any member of the defence force and/or public service and to request all relevant documentation, including classified material, to fulfil its mandate.
Ramaphosa has directed that the panel must complete its work and submit a report within one calendar month of its establishment. However, “the President may, on compelling cause shown, extend the period of the Panel’s proceedings,” the statement said.
Due to national security considerations, the work of the panel will be conducted confidentially.
The Presidency added that “President Ramaphosa may on the recommendation of the Panel and the Minister decide to publicise or not to publicise all or any portion of the outcomes of the Panel’s investigation.”
In August last year, SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya caused diplomatic controversy after saying South Africa and Iran shared “common goals” during a visit reported by Iranian state media.
The Defence Ministry later clarified that his remarks were not official, stressing that foreign policy is the sole responsibility of the President and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
Dirco also distanced itself from the comments, warning they should not be seen as government policy.
13 August 2025
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has taken note of recent media reports concerning comments attributed to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya. It is crucial to clarify that the implementation of… pic.twitter.com/wkCxKa1Ovl
— Chrispin Phiri 🇿🇦 (@Chrispin_JPhiri) August 14, 2025
At the time, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa had neither been informed of nor approved the visit, noting that it had been authorised by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.
“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 at the time.
[WATCH] Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on the SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya’s visit to Iran. pic.twitter.com/WqPkR5XPLn
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 14, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
