By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe to chair a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to investigate the defiance of the directive to withdraw three Iranian warships from the Multinational Naval Exercise Will for Peace that took place in False Bay, Cape town.
The probe was announced by the Defense Ministry a day after the U.S. criticized South Africa’s move to host Iranian ships off the coast of Cape Town for joint drills that also included the Chinese, Russian and United Arab Emirates navies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a directive three months prior that Iran should withdraw its three warships from the multinational naval exercise.
Ramaphosa was clearly concerned about the damage Iran’s participation could do to South African relations with the United States, at a time when the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) was making its way through Congress, and while negative US and international attention on Iran was unusually high because of widespread protests against the government, and the government’s lethal response.
Fullview reported that Ramaphosa had instructed Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to withdraw Iran’s participation in the naval exercise.
The Iranian corvette IRIS Naghdi appeared to have sailed out to sea with warships of the other participating countries – South Africa, China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates – to take part in the exercise.
The Head of Communications for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Siphiwe Dlamini stated, “The following people have been nominated to form the board: Chairperson of the board Judge B.M. Ngoepe; members Judge M.M. Leeuw, Judge C. Satchwell, and Rear Admiral (JG) (rtd) P.T. Duze.”
“The aim of the Board of Inquiry is to investigate and report on the serious allegations that the President’s instructions may have not been carried out, misrepresented and or ignored regarding the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy during Exercise Will for Peace 2026,” said Dlamini.
“In the endeavor to ensure transparency and full independence, consultation with the identified members of the board took longer than expected, thus impacting on the deadline as set. The Board will commence its work as soon as all administrative aspects have been put in place.”
China was the lead nation in organising Will for Peace, which saw naval vessels from Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates arrive in Simons Town. Iran’s participation was controversial as it came at the same time as violent anti-government protests that led to the deaths of thousands of civilians.