SANDF chief won't face disciplinary action after remarks he made in Iran - Motshekga

Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga said there are no grounds for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief - general Rudzani Maphwanya - to face any disciplinary steps for remarks he made during a recent visit to Iran.

Maphwanya’s comments pledging government’s solidarity with that country, and promising to deepen military ties, made world headlines.

Last month, the Presidency said the trip was "ill-advised" - but answering questions in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday) Motshekga said Maphwanya had travelled with her blessing.

Motshekga said the SANDF chief’s trip to Tehran last month was a third attempt after she had approved the travel last year already.

Amid calls from the Democratic Alliance (DA) that he face a court martial, Motshekga has told Parliament his comments did not enter political terrain and was in line with government policy.

“If it was said in France, it would not have created problems. It created problems because it was in Iran, at the wrong time, because of these geo-political conflicts.”

Motshekga believes an opinion piece on the same matter, penned by defence force spokesperson - rear admiral Prince Tshabalala, also did not cross a political line.

“Reading admiral Tshabalala’s opinion there was no legal or even policy contradiction in what he has said, even in his personal capacity.”

Motshekga said military attaché are stationed in all foreign missionsto guide diplomatic interactions and no extra training for personnel is needed.

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