South Africa’s army chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, is facing sharp criticism after he reportedly pledged military and political support to Iran during a recent visit to Tehran — remarks that have triggered political uproar at home and concern abroad.
The Department of Defence described his comments as “unfortunate,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed he would summon the general to discuss the “ill-advised” trip.
Members of South Africa’s governing coalition condemned Maphwanya’s remarks, accusing him of “reckless grandstanding.” The Democratic Alliance, the country’s largest opposition party, went further, calling for him to be court-martialled.
“The visit was ill-advised and more so, the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told reporters Thursday, adding that Ramaphosa neither approved nor was briefed on the trip.
What the General Said in Iran
According to Iranian state media Tehran Times, Maphwanya told his hosts that South Africa and Iran “always stood alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.” He also denounced Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, reiterated support for the Palestinian cause, and claimed his visit carried a “political message” from Ramaphosa’s administration.
The Defence Ministry and the Department of International Relations quickly distanced the government from those statements, stressing they do not reflect South Africa’s official foreign policy.
U.S. Watching Closely
The controversy comes at a delicate time in South Africa’s relations with Washington. U.S. officials have long voiced unease over Pretoria’s ties with Tehran. Earlier this year, relations soured further when former President Donald Trump accused Ramaphosa’s government of “reinvigorating” Iran ties. In an executive order, Trump cut off aid to South Africa, falsely alleging it persecuted white citizens while condemning Pretoria’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
A History of Cooperation
South Africa’s relationship with Iran stretches back to 1995, when the two countries formed a joint commission of cooperation, according to the Institute for Security Studies. The partnership — rooted in energy, trade, and political alignment — has repeatedly clashed with U.S. interests in the region.
General Maphwanya has since returned home, but the fallout from his remarks is expected to linger as Pretoria attempts to reassure both domestic critics and international partners that South Africa’s foreign policy remains firmly under the control of the civilian government.