The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa did not know about SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya’s visit to Iran this week, nor did he sanction it, adding it was ill-advised.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya was answering questions on Thursday afternoon about the upcoming public programme for Ramaphosa.

Magwenya says the matter of who sanctioned the visit begins and ends with the Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, as the process of such engagements sits squarely with her. But Magwenya says there is concern.

Regarding the alleged political comments made by Maphwanya, Magwenya says the General should have been far more circumspect, as the visit touches directly on sensitive areas of foreign policy, which do not fall within the purview of the SANDF Chief.

Magwenya echoed the views of DA leader John Steenhuisen that South Africa is in the middle of managing a very delicate exercise – resetting relations with the United States while balancing trade ties in a mutually beneficial manner, and as such, this visit is not helpful when the country is trying to resolve outstanding issues with Washington.

Regarding calls from the DA for the SANDF Chief to face a court-martial, the Presidency cannot yet comment on that. Magwenya says it is difficult to speak to the matter without clarity on the exact accusations or charges being considered.

The DA has charged that Maphwanya is guilty of gross misconduct and a “flagrant breach of the SANDF Code of Conduct” following his comments in Tehran.

According to Iranian state media, Maphwanya pledged “common goals” with Iran, endorsing its stance on Gaza, and calling for deeper strategic alignment.

Major General Amir Hatami, Commander of the Iranian Army, called for expanding military cooperation between the two countries and shared a commitment against “global arrogance and colonialism”.

The DA says such political statements are explicitly prohibited for serving officers and violate the SANDF’s duty of political neutrality.

Both the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ministry of Defence have publicly distanced the government from Maphwanya’s remarks, but the DA argues this does not go far enough.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, DIRCO emphasised that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy is a function of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO.

“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 remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.”

DIRCO says the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will be seeking further clarification from Maphwanya.

Similarly, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans reiterated that SA’s foreign policy and international relations are the sole prerogative of the President and DIRCO.

“It is unfortunate that political and policy statements were reportedly made during the meeting between General Ruddazi Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Iran Defence Force Leadership. The Department of Defence reiterates that only the President and DIRCO determine South Africa’s national policy on international relations. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans will be engaging with General Maphwanya on his return.”

The DA says this reckless “political freelancing” by the Chief of the SANDF is not an isolated incident, but forms part of a wider pattern of “foreign policy adventurism that is economically destructive, diplomatically reckless, and dangerously misaligned with South Africa’s national interest.”

“From alienating key democratic allies to embracing authoritarian regimes under sanctions, this approach is steadily eroding trade, investment, and security partnerships essential to our country’s stability and prosperity.”

The party says 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.

The DA’s Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, says he will formally demand that Minister Motshekga instruct the Adjutant General to initiate proceedings against Maphwanya without delay.

Speaking at an Agri Western Cape Congress in Rawsonville on Thursday, DA Leader John Steenhuisen was equally scathing, saying it further complicates the current trade negotiations with the U.S.

“On the one hand, we’re trying to repair and fix our relationship with the United States of America. On the other hand, we’ve got a General going rogue and making comments in a country with which America is currently in conflict with.

That’s not a way to win things. And as I described it to one of my colleagues, it’s like going into a heavyweight fight against Mike Tyson with one arm tied behind your back.

The government needs to send a very strong message now. That this General’s comments were his and his alone, and that there should be disciplinary action and that he should face the full might of the law because of the huge damage that he’s done.

And because of the fact that whilst some of us are doing our very best to get the best possible deal from the United States of America, we have actions like this that pull the rug out from under us.”

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