By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has redirected the probe on why Iran took part in Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace held last month in Cape Town to his office.
Although South Africa regularly holds drills with Russia and China, the latest maritime training came amid heightened tensions between the US and many of the group’s members, particularly Iran, which has been grappling with mass protests at home that turned deadly.
China led the training, which took place near the southwestern coastal city of Simon’s Town, which is home to a major South African naval base.
The department of Defence initially appointed a panel to investigate the failure to observe the president’s order that the Iranian navy should no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace.
The investigative panel will be led by Justice Bernard Ngoepe.
The President’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the panel will have the power to summon people including members of the National Defence Force and to request documents, including classified documents.
Magwenya said, the move from the Ministry of Defence to the Presidency is to ensure an independent and timeous probe. The President is, in terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.
Ramaphosa may on the recommendation of the Panel and the Minister decide to publicise or not to publicise all or any portion of the outcomes of the Panel’s investigation, added Magwenya.
The exercises were described by South Africa as an operation to “ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”. The panel has one month to complete the probe.