Growing calls for Ramaphosa to take action against Defence Chief over controversial statements in Iran
On Thursday, the Presidency said Ramaphosa would meet with the army chief soon for what it termed “ill-advised” comments.
FILE: General Rudzani Maphwanya addressed the annual global commemoration of the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers in De Brug Army Base in Bloemfontein on 29 May 2025. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
CAPE TOWN - There are growing calls from political parties for President Cyril Ramaphosa to act against the Defence Force chief Rudzani Maphwanya for controversial statements he’s reported to have made during a recent visit to Iran.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) said Minister Angie Motshekga should also report to parliament’s defence committees (yes, there’s more than one) on the visit and Maphwanya’s remarks.
On Thursday, the Presidency said Ramaphosa would meet with the army chief soon for what it termed “ill-advised” comments.
As South Africa battles another week of strained relations with the United States over trade tariffs and a misleading human rights report, Army Chief Rudzani Maphwanya has been reported as saying South Africa and Iran need to strengthen their political and military ties.
ACDP MP Steve Swart said Maphwanya has caused significant reputational damage, and it needs to be established whether Minister Angie Motshekga sanctioned his trip.
"In addition, both the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans as well as the Defence and Military Veterans Portfolio Committee should and must exercise parliamentary oversight by calling both Minister Motshekga and General Maphwanya to account for this trip and the comments reportedly made."
The Freedom Front (FF) Plus has also weighed in on the matter saying Maphwanya’s conduct was reckless and could further strain relations with the US, which recently bombed three of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
FF Plus leader Corne Mulder said if Ramaphosa was unaware of the trip, then Maphwanya should be disciplined in the same manner as former Deputy Trade Minister Andrew Whitfield, who was fired for travelling to the US without permission.
“The party can hardly imagine a greater insult to the US, especially amid political negotiations aimed at resolving the trade crisis between the two countries. South africa deserves leadership and dialogue that prioritise the country’s interests, not conduct that exacerbates international tensions and undermines economic stability,” said Mulder.
The Democratic Alliance’s Chris Hattingh has called for Maphwanya to face a court martial - saying his conduct is a military offence punishable by dismissal.