Minister under siege over South African National Defence Force’s naval exercise with China and Iran

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, said that the Presidency is investigating South Africa’s naval exercise with China and Iran.

She revealed this in response to Parliamentary questions about the debacle from Member of the National Assembly, Athol Trollip.

The issue relates to the Will for Peace 2026, a China-led multinational maritime naval exercise held from 9 to January 2026 off the coast of Cape Town and Simon’s Town.

The drills brought together navies from BRICS nations, including South Africa, China, Russia, and Iran, to focus on maritime safety and security of shipping lanes.

The drills highlighted growing security cooperation and non-Western alignment within the Global South.

The inclusion of sanctioned nations like Iran and Russia drew criticism from Western nations, notably the United States.

The Will for Peace 2026 naval exercise heightened diplomatic tensions over South Africa’s stated non-aligned foreign policy.

There were also questions regarding the South African National Defence Force’s authority to have organised this exercise.

Trollip asked the Minister about the promised board of inquiry into South Africa’s participation in the exercise, despite the Commander-in-Chief’s instructions not to.

He also asked her what accountability measures she has instituted internally in light of the failure to enforce the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief.

Motshekga responded, saying the Presidency has taken over the investigation process at the highest level to enable transparency.

This replaced the internal Department of Defence and South African National Defence Force board of inquiry.

“The panel is presently in session, presided over by retired Justice Bernard Ngoepe and his team,” Motshekga said.

“They are examining all the issues surrounding the incident. Some members of the Department of Defence have appeared before the panel.”

“It is expected that as soon as the panel has completed its work, the report and its recommendations will be duly presented.”

She argued that it was not an indictment on her or her department that the President and the Presidency took over the Board of Inquiry.

“The outcomes of the investigation panel and its recommendations may inform or further strengthen internal controls and accountability,” she said.

She added that accountability measures remain in place in accordance with the Defence regulations and the Code of Conduct for SANDF members and civilians.

“Further accountability measures may be instituted once the investigation finalises its report and recommendations,” she said.