Pro‑Iran Statements by Military Head in SA 2025 Sparks Fallout

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya has ignited a political firestorm after publicly aligning himself, and by extension the SANDF, with Iran during an official visit. His remarks, seen by many as breaching diplomatic norms, have prompted widespread backlash from political parties and diplomatic officials alike.

1. The Controversial Comments in Tehran

While visiting Iran, General Maphwanya praised the elite Iranian units, declared that both South Africa and Iran “share common goals,” and expressed solidarity with their mutual support for “the oppressed and defenseless.” He also framed the trip as politically symbolic, remarking that it came at an opportune time to convey heartfelt messages to the Iranian people.

2. Government Pushback and Diplomatic Damage Control

Almost immediately, the South African government distanced itself from the general’s comments. Both the Department of Defence and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued statements clarifying that General Maphwanya’s views do not represent official policy, which rests solely with the Presidency.

A spokesperson for DIRCO emphasized that foreign policy decisions are the domain of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO, and any statements by parties outside that framework should not be misinterpreted as reflecting the government’s stance.

3. Internal Political Fallout and Calls for Accountability

Political entities, particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA), have lodged fierce criticisms, calling the general’s behavior “reckless grandstanding” and a violation of the SANDF’s duty of neutrality. They have demanded his immediate court‑martial under the Military Discipline Act, citing gross misconduct and breach of military codes.

ActionSA, another political group, echoed these demands and further urged a parliamentary hearing to determine whether Defence Minister Angie Motshekga or President Cyril Ramaphosa had sanctioned the visit or if it was independently orchestrated.

4. Ministerial Responses and Presidential Oversight

Defence Minister Motshekga acknowledged that she approved the trip in line with a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, which allows periodic defence exchanges. She stressed that the visit’s intent was to strengthen military cooperation, not to engage in political pronouncements. The minister has committed to addressing Maphwanya’s statements upon his return, with President Ramaphosa, Commander‑in‑Chief, ultimately overseeing any discipline or action taken.

Presidential spokespersons labelled the trip and comments as “ill‑advised,” noting that the President had not been pre-informed or given his blessing. The trip was seen as potentially disruptive to South Africa’s ongoing efforts to repair trade relations with the United States.

5. Broader Implications for Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Alignment

The incident unfolds amidst a sensitive recalibration of South Africa’s foreign policy as it attempts to navigate tensions between Western allies and Eastern partners. South Africa’s repeated outreach to Iran, and other BRICS members like Russia and China, has already drawn criticism from some quarters in Washington. Maphwanya’s public pronouncements in support of Iran have deepened concerns about inconsistent messaging and policy coherence.

Observers argue such unsanctioned diplomacy signals a “dangerous pattern of foreign policy adventurism,” with consequences including weakened trust from Western governments and investors.

Conclusion

General Maphwanya’s alignment with Iranian rhetoric has sparked a rare public clash between South Africa’s military posture and its civilian-led foreign policy. While the visit was technically approved, the political undertones exceeded acceptable limits for a defence chief. The government risks internal division, erosion of military neutrality, and diplomatic backlash if it fails to reaffirm clear boundaries between defence protocol and foreign affairs. Restoring coherence and accountability must now become a priority for both national stability and international credibility.

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