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.”

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that Europe will not be intimidated amid renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump over Greenland, stressing that the issue extends far beyond Denmark’s borders and touches the foundations of the European and transatlantic order.

Speaking after Trump announced new customs measures and reiterated his interest in Greenland, Frederiksen said Denmark had entered into “intensive dialogue” with allies across Europe. She confirmed she had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

pic.twitter.com/zmnMqmqy9V

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 17, 2026

“The Kingdom of Denmark is receiving great support,” Frederiksen said. “At the same time, it is now even clearer that this is a matter that goes far beyond our own borders.”

She emphasised the importance of unity around Europe’s core principles. “All the more important is that we stand firm on the fundamental values that created the European community. We want to cooperate and we are not the ones seeking conflict. And I am happy for the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe is not blackmailed.”

Joint statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom 👇 pic.twitter.com/Gxf3F1Dc3p

— Denmark MFA 🇩🇰 (@DanishMFA) January 18, 2026

Her remarks come amid growing public opposition to Trump’s statements about taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in both Denmark and Greenland in recent days, protesting against any US attempt to seize the vast Arctic island.

Demonstrations were held in Copenhagen and other Danish cities, as well as in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. The protests coincided with a visit to Copenhagen by a delegation from the US Congress, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who described Trump’s rhetoric as “not constructive”.

Trump has long expressed a desire to acquire Greenland, citing its strategic location and natural resources. In a January 8, 2026 article in The New Yorker, journalist Susan Glasser recalled how Trump stunned advisers during his first term by floating the idea of trading Puerto Rico for Greenland, and later framing the territory as a real-estate opportunity.

“I’m in real estate,” Trump told Glasser and journalist Peter Baker in 2021. “It’s not different from a real estate deal. It’s just a little bit larger, to put it mildly.”

After returning to office for a second term, Trump revived his interest in Greenland, initially quieting the issue before again pressing the matter following a series of aggressive foreign policy moves elsewhere. In a January 7 interview with The New York Times, Trump said he wanted not merely to cooperate with Greenland, but to own it outright.

“Ownership is very important,” he said, adding that it was “psychologically important for me”.

Critics warn that such statements pose a direct threat to NATO, of which Denmark is a founding member. Greenland already hosts the US Pituffik Space Base, and the two countries have cooperated closely on defence for decades.

Writing in The Atlantic, national security scholar Tom Nichols described Trump’s fixation on Greenland as “extraordinarily dangerous”, warning it could trigger the collapse of NATO and destabilise global security, potentially emboldening Russia and China.

Those concerns have been echoed by Frederiksen, who has warned that a US seizure of Greenland would signal “the end of NATO”. European Union defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius has expressed similar fears.

Trump, however, has dismissed such warnings. In a social media post this week, he claimed NATO would be far stronger with Greenland under US control and denied that his actions could undermine the alliance.

Diplomatic tensions remain high. On Wednesday, Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance, but the talks reportedly ended with “fundamental disagreements” after Trump again insisted the US “really need[s]” Greenland.

The same day, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden announced “Operation Arctic Endurance”, increasing their military presence in Greenland to support Denmark and ensure regional security.

In the United States, Trump’s stance has drawn bipartisan criticism. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 17% of Americans support efforts to acquire Greenland, while just 4% approve of using military force. Trump dismissed the poll as “fake”.

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced measures aimed at preventing any military action against Greenland or other NATO allies. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of 11 US lawmakers, led by Senator Coons, met Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in Denmark, seeking to “lower the temperature” and reaffirming US respect for Danish sovereignty.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said there was no congressional support for acquiring Greenland, while Representative Don Bacon warned that any attack on a NATO ally could trigger impeachment proceedings.

“You don’t threaten a NATO ally,” Bacon said. “Invading an ally is immoral and wrong. It would probably be the end of his presidency.”

As tensions persist, Frederiksen has made Denmark’s position clear: cooperation remains the goal, but Europe will stand firm against pressure over Greenland.

Cape Town police have confirmed that an eighth victim of a mass shooting in Marikana informal settlement late on Friday night has died in hospital due to injuries sustained.

An investigation is underway into a mass shooting that initially killed seven people on the scene, with three others injured.

According to the Office of the Provincial Commissioner, the shooting took place shortly after midnight, at around 00:15 on Friday, 17 January 2026, at a shebeen on Protea Road.

The victims who died include one woman and six men, all aged between 30 and 50.

Police did not release the sex of the 8th victim, who has now passed away in the hospital.

Two men remain in hospital, with eight cases of murder and two of attempted murder now being investigated.

At this stage, police believe the incident may be linked to extortion-related activity in the area. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.

The South African Police Service has condemned the attack in the strongest terms and says it is committed to tracking down those responsible and ensuring they are brought to justice. The suspects fled the scene, and no arrests have been made.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application. All information will be treated as confidential.

Meanwhile, the MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has revealed more details about the shooting.

She says preliminary reports suggest three armed males entered the premises while it was operating and opened fire on patrons.

According to Marais, the tavern owner is among the dead.

The MEC has extended her condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wishes the injured a full and speedy recovery.

“I urge SAPS to deploy a strong, specialised investigation team to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are swiftly identified, apprehended, and made to face the full might of the law.”

 

“Communities are living in constant fear as criminals run rampant. The SAPS must urgently resource all priority precincts and fill vacancies so that all serious crimes are solved and those responsible are prosecuted.”

Premier Alan Winde has indicated that he and MEC Marais will be meeting with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia within the next three weeks to discuss urgent policing needs in the province.

*This article has been updated since it was first published