PRETORIA – The South African government has moved to distance itself from comments made by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, during his official visit to Iran this week.
While in Tehran, Maphwanya met with Iranian Defence Minister Major General Amir Hatami to discuss defence and strategic cooperation. According to Iranian media, both parties expressed opposition to “global arrogance” and “colonial approaches.” Maphwanya reportedly voiced solidarity with oppressed communities, referenced South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, and described the trip as the “best possible time” to share South Africa’s sentiments with the Iranian people.
However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a statement clarifying that foreign policy is formulated by the Presidency, with DIRCO’s support. It stressed that remarks by individuals or departments outside this framework should not be interpreted as official government policy. Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola added that he would be seeking further details about Maphwanya’s statements.
The visit comes amid already strained ties between Pretoria and Washington, worsened under former US President Donald Trump’s administration by disputes over Israel, accusations of discrimination against South Africa’s white minority, and the imposition of a 30% tariff on South African exports. The US recently issued a human rights report claiming that conditions in South Africa deteriorated in 2024, an assertion the South African government firmly rejects.
On the domestic front, the Democratic Alliance criticised Maphwanya’s remarks, accusing him of stepping beyond his constitutional mandate by engaging in political diplomacy. The party also warned that such actions could further harm South Africa’s relations with Western partners.
