Minister under fire for defence of Iranian, Chinese and Russian warships in South Africa

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola is facing sharp criticism from the Democratic Alliance for defending South Africa’s decision to host a joint naval exercise involving sanctioned countries.

The criticism focuses on the docking of Iranian and Russian vessels—both under international sanctions—at the nation’s main naval base in Simon’s Town.

The DA, a co-governing partner in government, argues that allowing military drills with nations implicated in human rights abuses directly undermines South Africa’s constitutional values and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Several BRICS+ naval vessels arrived in South Africa in early January for a joint training exercise, dubbed “Will for Peace,” from 9 to 16 January.

Lamola defended the military exercises with Iran, China, and Russia, arguing that this does not represent hostile gestures towards Western nations.

“We do drills with all the countries, and we have been very clear in South Africa that this drill is not a declaration of war. It is a drilling routine that any other country embarks on,” he told City Press.

South Africa’s joint task force commander, Captain Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, also defended the drills, saying that “in an increasingly complex maritime environment, cooperation such as this is not an option, it is essential”.

However, the DA’s spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, Ryan Smith, says that Lamola is not considering the implications of what such training exercises could signal to other countries.

“Minister Lamola’s utterances demonstrate a deep ineptitude for foreign affairs from South Africa’s chief diplomat,” said Smith.

He argues that Lamola’s decision to defend the military exercise, despite Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) participating, which has been sanctioned, does not align with the country’s Constitution.

“Minister Lamola is the civilian authority responsible for ensuring that our international engagements align with the Constitution and the national interest,” he said.

“Yet despite clear knowledge of the participation of the IRGC, a sanctioned military entity currently implicated in the violent suppression of civilian protests, the Minister continues to defend South Africa hosting military exercises.”

This is “with nations actively involved in reversing and stifling the universal freedoms enshrined in our Constitution,” added Smith.

He added that South Africa’s stance on this military exercise raises questions about South Africa’s status as a non-aligned actor on the international stage.

Smith says that not only could it worsen tensions with the United States, but it also puts the country’s relationship with the European Union, South Africa’s largest trading partner, at risk, given the destabilisation of the continent caused by Russia’s war.

“One cannot credibly manage relations with democratic partners while simultaneously welcoming the naval assets of sanctioned international aggressors into South African waters,” Smith said.

As a result, the DA has called on Lamola to withdraw his comments, remove any sanctioned vessels from the exercise, and reassert diplomatic oversight over all military engagements involving foreign states.

South Africa faced sharp criticism from the US and the European Union when it hosted a similar BRICS naval drill in 2023, which coincided with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

‘Iran and Russia are irrelevant to us’

While the cooperative exercise may be a good idea in principle, military expert Helmoed Heitman has said that it is not the greatest move politically.

He argues that naval exercises can be particularly beneficial to navies should they need to cooperate in the case of piracy or a ship sinking. However, he said it is not a great move politically.

“It makes a lot of sense to exercise with the Chinese,” Heitman told Newzroom Afrika. “They’re a growing naval power. We need to be wary that their neighbours, such as India, regard them as a threat.”

“It makes a lot less sense to be exercising with Russia and Iran. They are strategically and economically irrelevant to us and are regarded as bullies by most of their neighbours.”

While the SANDF describes such exercises as routine “Passex” drills for communication, helicopter manoeuvres, and logistical replenishment, the geopolitical optics remain sensitive, particularly with the United States.

South Africa has drawn US criticism for its close ties with Russia and a range of other policies, including its decision to bring a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the Gaza war.

The ongoing tensions between the two states caused the US to boycott the G20 Summit hosted by South Africa in 2025. South Africa has not been invited to the upcoming summit, which will be hosted by the US.