By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image Sourced: X {https://x.com/TehranTimes79.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has distanced the government from remarks made by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya in Tehran, expressing full political solidarity with Iran.
This comes after Iranian state media reported that Maphwanya made political and policy statements while visiting the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The meeting in Iran comes amid tensions between Pretoria and Washington, after months of worsening diplomatic relations between South Africa and the US.
After US President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff on South African goods came into effect earlier this month, Pretoria proposed a revised trade offer to US trade representatives in the hopes that it would mollify the transactional Trump.
In June, tensions escalated between the US and Iran after the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites at Israel’s behest.
Lamola’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said South Africa’s foreign policy is determined by the Presidency and supported by DIRCO.
“Any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government,” said Phiri.
“The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance.”
South Africa’s warm ties with Iran have been one of the Trump administration’s main gripes, with the Trump administration accusing Iran of being a key supporter of global terrorism.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Department of Defence said it wished to clarify that matters of South Africa’s foreign policy and international relations were the “sole prerogative” of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
“The Department of Defence and Military Veterans does not make political or policy decisions on international relations.
“It is unfortunate that political and policy statements were reportedly made during the meeting between General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Iran Defence Force leadership. The Department of Defence reiterates that only the President and Dirco determine South Africa’s national policy on international relations,” said Defence Ministry spokesperson Onicca Kwakwa.
Kwakwa added that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga would engage with Maphwanya when he returned.
Maphwanya condemned Israel’s continued assault on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and reiterated South Africa’s solidarity with Palestine.
South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, said Maphwanya, sought to ensure “those responsible for genocide are held accountable”.
South Africa filed an application before the ICJ in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in its military assault on Gaza. In the application, South Africa alleged that Israel had committed acts of genocide against the people of Palestine in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention.
DA defence spokesperson Chris Hattingh said that judging by the Iranian state media reports, Maphwanya “went well beyond military-to-military discussions. He publicly pledged ‘common goals’ with Iran in global affairs, endorsed Tehran’s political positions on the war in Gaza, and called for deeper strategic alignment, including joint projects and student exchanges.
“This is not the role of a military chief. Foreign policy is the domain of the elected Government of National Unity and must be conducted through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), not by an unelected general freelancing on the world stage.”