Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has sharply criticised Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, for defending South Africa’s decision to host sanctioned Iranian and Russian naval vessels during the BRICS+ military exercise, “Will for Peace.”
In a statement, DA Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, Ryan Smith MP, accused Lamola of demonstrating “a deep ineptitude for foreign affairs from South Africa’s chief diplomat who frequently uses undiplomatic language, clings desperately to outdated 1960s ANC ideology, and cares more about his party political dogma than the national interest.”
China, along with Russian and Iranian vessels, is currently spearheading a naval exercise in South African waters as international relations remain tense.
The DA, a partner in the ANC-led government of national unity, also criticised the inclusion of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the drills, noting the group’s alleged use of severe force to suppress civilian protests in Iran.
At the same time, during the ANC’s anniversary celebrations, Minister Lamola outlined South Africa’s foreign policy priorities for the year ahead in a keynote address, delivered amid rising global tensions. The speech followed the United States’ controversial capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and came more than a week into widespread anti-government protests in Iran.
The DA condemns Minister Lamola for DIRCO’s defence of Exercise “Will for Peace” 🔵🇿🇦
https://t.co/Tl3RbOFdE0— Christopher Walker (@Christo64486953) January 11, 2026
“Despite clear knowledge of the participation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Minister continues to defend South Africa hosting military exercises with nations actively involved in reversing and stifling the universal freedoms enshrined in our constitution,” Smith said.
The DA argued that Lamola’s position amounts to “a blatant abdication of responsibility to the Republic” and called into question South Africa’s credibility as a non-aligned actor on the international stage.
“By allowing the Department of Defence to proceed unchecked in these military exercises, Minister Lamola has effectively outsourced South Africa’s foreign policy to the whims of the South African National Defence Force,” Smith added.
The party warned of potential diplomatic and economic consequences.
“South Africa is now perceived not as a principled non-aligned state, but as a willing host for military cooperation with authoritarian regimes,” the statement said, highlighting that this comes at a time when Russia’s aggression continues to destabilise Europe, South Africa’s largest trading partner.
Smith urged Lamola to take immediate action, calling on him to “withdraw any sanctioned vessels from Exercise ‘Will for Peace’; open diplomatic channels to ensure the departure of sanctioned Iranian and Russian vessels from our waters; and reassert civilian diplomatic oversight over all military engagements involving foreign states.”
The DA concluded that South Africa’s foreign policy must prioritise the Constitution and national interest over party ideology. “Minister Lamola must choose whether he is the custodian of South Africa’s values, or merely a bystander to their erosion,” Smith said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
