Political parties are calling for accountability after the SANDF’s apparent defiance of President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding Iran’s participation in the recent naval exercise, Will For Peace 2026, in Simon’s Town.

The Democratic Alliance says it appears that Iranian warships took part despite reports of a presidential order to exclude them. Other reports indicated that Iran pulled out of the joint naval exercise amid political tensions.

The DA states that there are conflicting SANDF statements, which raise concerns that civilian authority was disregarded.

The US Embassy in Pretoria slammed the events as they unfolded.

“The United States notes with concern and alarm reports that the Minister of Defence and SANDF defied a government order regarding Iran’s participation in the ongoing naval exercises. Iran is a destabilising actor and state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability. It is particularly unconscionable that South Africa welcomed Iranian security forces as they were shooting, jailing, and torturing Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity, for which South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves. South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cosying up to Iran.”

The DA has now called for an urgent parliamentary debate to enforce accountability.

The party’s spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, says it looks less like confusion and more like defiance within the SANDF.

“Despite credible reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief, instructed that Iranian warships be excluded from the exercise, Iranian vessels nevertheless took part. This was followed by contradictory explanations, deleted SANDF communications, and a shifting official story that continues to change as more facts emerge.”

Hattingh says the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, publicly hailed Iran’s participation, only for events to unfold in a manner that appeared to defy a reported presidential instruction.

“When senior officers publicly signal one direction and events on the ground follow that direction, Parliament is entitled to ask a hard question: was lawful civilian authority ignored?”

The Minister of Defence, Angie Mothekga, established a Board of Inquiry to probe the allegations, but Hattingh says this cannot put Parliament on hold.

Meanwhile, ActionSA has requested an urgent Joint Defence Committee probe into the matter.

ActionSA has rejected the Board of Inquiry established by Motshekga, arguing that Parliament is far better placed to get to the truth of what has unfolded and to ensure that those responsible are held publicly accountable in this crisis.

“ActionSA believes that while building a capable and battle-ready defence force is incredibly important, this must first and foremost be grounded in a disciplined respect for the rule of law and the constitutional chain of command, upheld at every level, from senior military leadership to the executive.”