Cape Town – Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has appointed a board of inquiry to investigate allegations that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding Iran’s participation in Exercise Will for Peace 2026 were not properly followed.
The Department of Defence said on Friday, 16 January 2026, that the inquiry follows reports suggesting that the president’s directive on how the naval exercise should be conducted may have been ignored or misrepresented.
“The Minister of Defence, Hon Angie Motshekga, would like to place it on record that the instruction was clearly communicated to all parties concerned, agreed upon and to be implemented and adhered to as such,” a statement read.
The controversy centres on Iran’s involvement in the multinational naval exercise, which drew criticism locally and internationally. Reports claimed that Iran’s participation continued despite instructions related to its role in the drills.
Media Statement || Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans || Republic of South Africa, Friday, 16 January 2026 || Allegations regarding the instruction by the President on how to conduct Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026.#MODMV#SANDF#JointOperationsDivision pic.twitter.com/x3ClXeE0J1
— SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) January 16, 2026
In response, Motshekga confirmed that a board of inquiry had been established due to the seriousness of the allegations. “Due to the seriousness of these allegations and reports in the media, the Minister has established a Board of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the allegations and establish whether the instruction of the President may have been misrepresented and/or ignored,” the department said.
The board has been tasked with examining what transpired during the exercise and is expected to submit a report to the minister within seven days after the completion of Exercise Will for Peace 2026.
The department also sought to assure the public that there had been coordination across government structures throughout the process. “All government entities in this event have been working very closely, in consultation with each other at every step,” the statement said.
The decision to probe Iran’s role follows reports that a now-deleted South African National Defence Force (SANDF) social media post listed the Iranian corvette Naghdi as participating in the sea phase of the exercises, despite earlier assurances that Tehran would withdraw or assume observer status.
International reaction has been swift. In a social media statement from the US Embassy in South Africa, American officials criticised Pretoria’s handling of Iran’s involvement.
“Iran is a destabilising actor and state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises in any capacity undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the embassy said, adding that it was “unconscionable” for South Africa to welcome Iranian forces while Tehran is accused of repressing peaceful protestors.
“South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cosying up to Iran,” the statement read.
And permitting Iranian military forces to operate in South African waters — or going to Tehran and expressing solidarity — isn’t ‘non-alignment’: it’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism.
— US Embassy SA (@USEmbassySA) January 15, 2026
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@SANDF_ZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
