SACP backs SANDF chief amid Iran storm — accuses DA of western-hypocrisy

Johannesburg – The South African Communist Party (SACP) has come out in strong support of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya following backlash over his recent visit to Iran, accusing critics of promoting “Western imperialist-aligned anti-Iran hysteria.”

In a statement on Saturday, the party said the trip formed part of South Africa’s “long-standing bilateral relations with Iran” and should not be treated as controversial.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) was singled out as one of the “reactionary commentators” who, according to the SACP, had attempted to “criminalise” a properly sanctioned visit.

The SACP argued that defence cooperation between sovereign nations was a normal and internationally recognised practice, adding that outrage over engagements with Iran reflected a “clear bias” influenced by Western geopolitical agendas.

“The right-wing hypocrisy is glaring: there is deafening silence when the South African government engages in defence meetings with the United States and Western European states. But when the counterpart is Iran, hypocrites mount a public crusade,” the party said.

The statement also expressed concern over reports that government, including the Presidency, may move to isolate or discipline General Maphwanya for comments made in Iran regarding South Africa’s policy on Palestine. The SACP warned against what it described as “political capitulation to Western-aligned pressure.”

“The government appears to be cajoled to project itself as pro-West and anti-Iran,” the party said, rejecting any attempt to scapegoat the SANDF chief.

The SACP also dismissed comparisons between Maphwanya’s official trip and the unauthorised visit by former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, calling the analogy “incorrect and misleading.”

The party vowed to resist what it called smear campaigns, insisting that South Africa must retain its sovereign right to conduct international relations, including defence cooperation, “free from the dictatorship of Washington, Brussels, or their local political surrogates.”