The Department of Defence said that SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya had ministerial approval for his recent trip to Iran, but controversy over his political remarks made during the visit continues to escalate.

Spokesperson Onicca Kwakwa, speaking on behalf of Minister Angie Motshekga, told IOL News: “The minister did give permission to the SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, like she does with all other international trips of the Chief of SANDF.

”The permission was granted for him to travel with the understanding that we have bilateral cooperation with Iran, and we were responding to an invitation that was made.”

Kwakwa emphasised that the visit was in line with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Iran in 2016, which requires ongoing engagement between the defence forces of both countries.

“The purpose was really for the Chief of the SANDF to honour the invitation, but to continue to strengthen bilateral defence relations with the Iranian government,” she said.

However, Kwakwa also confirmed that there would be a response to General Maphwanya’s controversial comments made in Tehran. 

Reports indicate that during his visit to Tehran, General Maphwanya pledged “common goals” with Iran, supported its Gaza position, and called for deeper strategic alignment—actions that allegedly exceeded his constitutional and professional mandate.

She noted that Defence Minister Motshekga would meet with Maphwanya to raise concerns, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief, would ultimately lead the process of deciding any consequences.

“The minister will have an engagement with the Chief and express how she feels about the utterances that were made, that were outside of our purview as Defence. The Commander-in-Chief will meet with General Maphwanya, so it will be led by the President in terms of course of action,” Kwakwa said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded immediate disciplinary action, including a court-martial.

DA MP and spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said Maphwanya’s statements amounted to “gross misconduct and a flagrant breach of the SANDF Code of Conduct.”

Hattingh said the General’s political pronouncements were unconstitutional and violated the SANDF’s duty of neutrality.

“Such political statements are explicitly prohibited for serving officers, violate the SANDF’s duty of political neutrality, and undermine the constitutional principle of civilian control over the military,” he said.

Both DIRCO and the Defence Ministry have publicly distanced themselves from Maphwanya’s remarks, stressing they do not reflect official government policy. Still, the DA criticised what it called the Minister’s “deafening silence”, accusing her of failing to uphold military discipline.

At a media briefing on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Vincent said the comments were troubling.

“Yes, there is concern. At this period of heightened geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill-advised,” he said.

“There is an expectation that the general should have been more circumspect with his comments, particularly those that touch on foreign policy — a domain strictly reserved for the President and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). This is not within the purview of the military or senior military officers.”

Magwenya noted that South Africa is currently undertaking a sensitive diplomatic effort to reset its relationship with the United States.

“We are in the process of managing a very delicate exercise of resetting political and diplomatic relations with the US, and more importantly, balancing the trade relationship in a manner that is mutually beneficial,” he said.

“It is not helpful when, during this process, senior government or military officials participate in visits and make statements that risk inflaming tensions. In managing the US relationship, we are also countering significant disinformation—from Washington and, sadly, from some quarters within our own country. It’s crucial that the government speaks with one voice.”

Hattingh warned that the comments were part of a broader pattern of “foreign policy adventurism” that harms South Africa’s international relationships.

“The only appropriate response is an immediate court-martial to restore discipline, reaffirm the SANDF’s apolitical character, and send a clear message that no one, regardless of rank, is above the Constitution or the law,” Hattingh said.

The DA said it would formally request that Motshekga direct the Adjutant General to initiate proceedings against Maphwanya without delay.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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