Ramaphosa unaware of SANDF military chief’s Iran visit – Presidency

The Presidency has said that South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya’s visit to Iran, which the executive was neither aware of nor sanctioned, was “ill-advised.”

This trip comes amid heightened tensions between South Africa and the United States, with the US taking exception to the country’s close ties with its foes.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga approved the General’s trip, which has led to calls for action against both of them.

The President’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, briefed the media Wednesday evening and said Ramaphosa would meet with Maphwanya in the coming days.

Maphwanya’s visit to Tehran sparked controversy after local media reported that he had discussed foreign policy matters with Iranian officials.

The Tehran Times said that Maphwanya had met with Iran’s Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami, where the South African military official called for deeper cooperation between the two countries.

The SANDF chief also condemned Israel and called for deeper military ties with Iran, emphasising his visit carried a political message.

Magwenya said that the President was unaware of the visit because the General’s administrative process for travel approval would only have gone as far up as the Minister of Defence.

“Is there a concern? Yes, there is a concern. At this point of heightened geopolitical conflict and conflict in the Middle East, one can say this trip was ill-advised,” the spokesperson said.

“More so, the expectation is that the General should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he made, which delved into the area of foreign policy, which only he makes.”

While Magwenya added that while the SANDF can forge ties with other military forces worldwide, officers must not discuss matters outside of this scope.

“The exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of professional military-to-military cooperation is encouraged within our system of government,” Magwenya said.

“However, senior military officers do not engage outside of their military purview, and they do not represent the country on foreign policy matters, nor are they delegated to perform such functions.” 

Magwenya said that the country is busy mending a delicate relationship with the United States and that “it is not helpful” to have senior military officials making comments that may inflame the situation.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO has distanced itself from Maphwanya’s comments, stating that they do not reflect the country’s foreign policy stance.

“It is crucial to clarify that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy is a function of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO,” said Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.

“Consequently, any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government.”

The Department of Defence took a similar stance to the Presidency and DIRCO, noting that neither it nor Military Veterans make political or policy decisions on international relations.

Calls for action against Maphwanya and Motshekga

Non-Profit organisation Citizens for Integrity has called for the dismissal of Maphwanya and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.

The NPO’s director, Mark Hymen, argues that the suggestion of military cooperation poses a direct risk to the country’s international relations, trade interests, and reputation as a neutral actor.

He described Maphwanya’s actions as “irresponsible and reckless”. He referred to a recent incident where the former Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperation visited the US, resulting in his axing.

“When Democratic Alliance (DA) Minister Andrew Whitfield undertook an unauthorised visit to the United States, he was removed from his post. There was no debate — only action.

“Why should the standard be any different for General Maphwanya and Minister Motshekga? Constitutional accountability must apply equally, regardless of political affiliation or institutional rank. Anything less sets a dangerous precedent.”

Therefore, the group has called on the President to immediately dismiss Maphwanya and Motshekga for enabling the visit.

It has also called for the release of a report detailing the General’s discussions in Iran and for the implementation of strict protocols to prevent military officials from further foreign engagement without presidential and DIRCO approval.

DA Member of Parliament (MP) Chris Hattingh condemned Maphwanya’s remarks in Tehran, warning that it could risk the country’s geopolitical relationships.

“This is not the role of a military chief. Foreign policy is the domain of the elected Government of National Unity and must be conducted through the DIRCO, not by an unelected general freelancing on the world stage,” he said.

“This reckless grandstanding comes at a time when South Africa’s relations with key democratic partners, especially the United States, are already under severe strain.”

The United States recently imposed a 30% blanket tariff on South Africa, the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the deteriorating relationship between President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Donald Trump.

Recently, a US Congressman introduced a bill targeting its alliances with Iran and other US foes, called for a full review of US-South Africa relations, and sought to identify ANC leaders for the imposition of sanctions.

The US is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner. In 2024, total bilateral goods trade between the nations sat at R375 billion.