‘Maphwanya has put us in the crosshairs of the Americans’ – Pieter du Toit (News24)
South African National Defence Force chief Rudzani Maphwanya travelled to Tehran and said we should strengthen political and military ties with Iran.
FILE: General Rudzani Maphwanya addressed the annual global commemoration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in De Brug Army Base in Bloemfontein on 29 May 2025. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
702 and CapeTalk’s Mandy Wiener speaks with Assistant Editor of Investigations at News24, Pieter du Toit.
Listen below:
On Tuesday this week, Rudzani Maphwanya reportedly said that South Africa and Iran must strengthen ties.
The presidency described the comments as ‘ill-advised’ and say Maphwanya overstepped his role.
At a media briefing on Thursday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that action would be taken against the SANDF chief. However, the nature of the consequences has not yet been decided.
Du Toit says Maphwanya making political statements on Iran, which is in conflict with the United States, could worsen our already strained relationship with the US.
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“He has put us into the crosshairs of the Americans.”
- Pieter du Toit, Assistant Editor of Investigations - News24
“The political act of going there and making political statements creates all manner of diplomatic problems for South Africa.”
- Pieter du Toit, Assistant Editor of Investigations - News24
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