Motshekga, Lamola to appear before joint defence, international relations committees over SANDF chief's Iran comments
The committees were responding to remarks made by SANDF chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, who is reported to have pledged South Africa's allegiance to Iran, a move described as being 'ill-advised' by the president.
Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, arrives for the medal parade at the South African Army Support Base Eastern Cape on 31 July 2025. Picture: @SANDF_ZA/X
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's portfolio committees on international relations and defence have slammed what they called a lack of coordination in the country's defence diplomacy and its foreign policy objectives.
The committees were responding to remarks made by SANDF chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, who is reported to have pledged South Africa's allegiance to Iran, a move described as being "ill-advised" by the president.
The ministers of international relations and defence are now set to appear before a joint meeting of the two committees to explain their responses to the remarks made by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief.
The chairperson of the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans, Dakota Legoete, and the chairperson of the international relations committee, Supra Mahumapelo, have noted with concern the reported remarks made by Maphwanya during his visit to Iran.
Maphwanya's comment came during a time of tense diplomatic relations with the United States, one of Iran's biggest adversaries.
READ: Rise Mzansi's Zibi slams 'ill-disciplined' SANDF chief over Iran trip
In a statement, the chairpersons also note that the Department of International Relations & Co-operation (DIRCO) had publicly distanced itself from the general's comments and that the Presidency called the visit "ill-advised".
Mahulampelo and Legoete said the committees would have a joint meeting to engage with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and her international relations counterpart, Ronald Lamola, to discuss the issue.
Legoete said it was evident that "there is a worrying lack of coordination between defence diplomacy and South Africa's official foreign policy".
He said this disjuncture "exposes potential misalignment and cohesion" in the country’s approach to international relations.
Legoete reiterated the committee’s position that the SANDF must remain a "professional and apolitical institution, focusing squarely on its constitutional mandate to safeguard the republic, while steering away from statements in the political domain".