ANC tarnish South Africa’s international reputation

Thirty years ago, South Africa was a shining light on the international stage for how fundamental human rights should be fought for and protected globally.

Yet, the friends that the government has made over the years are extinguishing that fire.

This is the view of several partners within the Government of National Unity (GNU), particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus).

The parties are becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO’s) actions on the international stage.

As of January 22, Iran is in the midst of its largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Nationwide protests began on December 28, 2025.

The exact number of casualties is disputed due to a near-total internet blackout imposed by the government on January 8, which has hindered independent verification. 

On January 21, 2026, state television reported for the first time that 3,117 people have been killed. The state’s Martyrs Foundation claimed 2,427 of these were “civilians and security forces” but did not specify the rest.

However, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said that it has verified at least 4,560 deaths, including over 4,200 protesters and nearly 200 security personnel.

They are currently reviewing more than 9,000 additional reported deaths.

GNU partners raise red flags

In a statement on 22 January 2026, South Africa’s second-largest party and partner in the GNU, the DA, condemned South Africa’s response to the ongoing civil unrest in Iran.

DA International Relations spokesperson Ryan Smith labelled it as something that reeks of hypocrisy, and that rather serves “party-political interests in the global arena.”

This week, a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) vote was held calling for a special session to address the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“The ANC’s failure to support this appeal confirms the party’s ongoing explicit support for the brutal regime in Iran, and its subsequent complicity in the massacre of thousands of anti-government protesters,” said Smith.

This also comes amid Iran actively participating in a BRICS naval exercise off the South African coast.

The US said in response that “South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cosying up to Iran.”

Smith called this “moral hypocrisy” that serves as “another example of the ANC’s total subversion of the principles enshrined in the South African constitution, and a violation of the GNU statement of intent.”

“Even more conspicuous in his absence is Minister DIRCO, Ronald Lamola, who has been missing in action when faced with one of the most brutal human rights atrocities.”

Smith said that these actions continue to tarnish the country’s international reputation in the process, and claimed that the ANC will only engage in diplomatic morality when it benefits their pocket or electoral prospects.

The party said that it is not just an indictment on South Africa as a supposed international torchbearer for human rights, “but on the ANC leadership that has traded ethics and morality for political power.”

“The ANC has no legitimacy referring to itself as a liberation movement if it remains complicit in the atrocities committed by the Iranian government against its own people.”

“At a time of global uncertainty, the ANC’s pursuit of its party interests using foreign policy, is risking South Africa’s standing on the global stage, and it is the people of South Africa who will ultimately pay the price,” added Smith.

These complaints of GNU partners allegedly being sidelined by the ANC-led DIRCO has been echoed by fellow GNU member, the FF Plus.

In a recent statement by party leader Dr Corné Mulder, he said that in thirty years, “South Africa has degenerated from the world’s conscience to a country that has embedded itself among nations with questionable human rights records.”

Mulder said South Africa’s foreign policy prioritises relationships with autocrats over human rights and Western alliances, accusing the ANC of blatant double standards, particularly in its swift condemnation of Israel and the US at the ICJ and UN.

“The ANC simply cannot be trusted to manage South Africa’s foreign policy on its own.” He insists that all GNU partners should have a say in the decisions made by government.

This was echoed by the DA, who condemned DIRCO’s “failure to adhere to the GNU statement of intent and the ongoing selective approach to foreign policy.”

South African response to the Iran situation

In a brief statement by the South African Presidency last week, it said that “the South African Government is following the developments in Iran with concern.”

“The reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are concerning, and South Africa urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint.”

“South Africa firmly believes that the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and freedom of association are universal human rights that must be upheld without exception.”

“We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace.”

“Sustainable peace and stability can only be achieved through solutions that centre the agency of the Iranian people,” concluded the statement.

The ANC has not made a statement on the developments in Iran as of yet.