Written by Lisa Murimi
South Africa’s army chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, has come under heavy criticism after reportedly pledging military and political support to Iran during an official visit, igniting a political and diplomatic row in Pretoria.
During his trip, aimed at boosting military cooperation, Gen Maphwanya told Iranian officials that South Africa and Iran shared “common goals” and stood “alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.”
He condemned Israel over the war in Gaza and said his visit carried “a political message” from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, according to the Tehran Times.
The remarks drew swift backlash from members of South Africa’s governing coalition and opposition parties.
The Democratic Alliance called for the general to be court-martialled, accusing him of straying into foreign policy — a domain reserved for the government.
President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed the president had neither sanctioned the trip nor been informed in advance.
“The visit was ill-advised… the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,” Magwenya told reporters.
The defence department labelled the remarks “unfortunate,” while the foreign ministry stressed they did not reflect South Africa’s official stance. Gen Maphwanya has since returned home.
The controversy comes amid already tense US-South Africa relations, strained in part by Pretoria’s long-standing ties with Tehran.
Washington has expressed concern over these relations, with US President Donald Trump previously citing them as a reason for cutting aid and accusing Ramaphosa’s government of “reinvigorating” ties with Iran.
South Africa’s partnership with Iran dates back to 1995, when the two nations established a joint commission of cooperation — a relationship that remains a flashpoint in Pretoria’s foreign policy.
