DA wants Motshekga to explain Iran's participation in navy drills to Parliament

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to appear before Parliament to explain why Iran took part in navy drills contrary to an order from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Motshekga announced on Friday that she would establish a board of inquiry to determine why an order for Iran to withdraw from the war games was defied.

But DA member of parliament (MP) Chris Hattingh says this does not put parliament in a holding pattern, and Motshekga can’t delay an appearance before the joint standing committee on defence.

Hattingh adds that enquiries such as the one ordered by Motshekga are held in secret, are inward-looking and take too long.

Iran’s planned participation in navy exercises off the coast of Simon’s Town has coincided with civil unrest in that country and has again sparked questions over South Africa’s relations with Tehran.

Last year, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief Rudzani Maphwanya travelled to Iran and made comments about strengthening military cooperation with the Islamic nation.

It’s understood that President Motshekga asked Iran to withdraw from this week’s navy exercises and adopt observer status instead.

But after its vessel was pictured in the water off the Cape Town coast, questions were raised about whether the order had been ignored.

Hattingh says if a direct instruction from the president was defied or not properly implemented, it points to a dangerous breakdown in command discipline and accountability.

“The SANDF should not be defying the government of the day, nor should it be allowed to run a parallel foreign policy,” said Hattingh.

In a statement released on Friday, Motshekga said the instruction had been clearly communicated and it was expected that it would be carried out accordingly.

With the SANDF cancelling media briefings this week to provide clarity on the exercises also involving China, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, Hattingh says this has worsened transparency and accountability about the event.