South Africa’s army chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, is under fire after reportedly pledging military and political support to Iran during a recent visit.
Members of the governing coalition have criticised the move as “reckless grandstanding,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed he would meet the general to discuss what he called an “ill-advised” trip. The government has stressed that Maphwanya’s remarks do not reflect official foreign policy.
The controversy comes amid already strained relations with the US, which has expressed concern over South Africa’s ties to Iran. The Democratic Alliance has gone as far as calling for the general to be court-martialled, accusing him of overstepping his role by venturing into foreign policy matters.
During the visit, Maphwanya reportedly told Iranian officials that South Africa and Iran share common goals, pledged support for the Palestinian people, and said his trip carried a “political message” from Ramaphosa’s administration. Both the defence and foreign affairs departments have distanced themselves from the comments, calling them “unfortunate.”
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson confirmed the president neither knew of nor approved the trip, adding that Maphwanya should have been more cautious in his statements. The general has since returned to South Africa.
Ties between South Africa and Iran date back decades, but they have recently become a flashpoint in tensions with Washington — tensions heightened earlier this year when the US cut aid to South Africa, citing its relationship with Iran and other political disputes.