South Africa’s top general has come under fire after pledging support to Iran during a recent visit, comments that have triggered a political storm in Pretoria and added strain to already tense international relations.
General Rudzani Maphwanya met Iranian military officials earlier this month and was quoted by local media as saying the two countries shared common goals. He declared that South Africa would “always stand alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world”, while voicing support for Palestinians and condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. He described the trip as carrying a “political message” from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration.
The South African government quickly distanced itself from the remarks. The defence department called them “unfortunate”, while the foreign ministry said they did not represent official policy.
President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed that the president had not approved the trip and described it as “ill-advised”. He added: “The expectation is that the general should have been far more circumspect with the comments he makes.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA), part of South Africa’s coalition government, went further, demanding that Gen Maphwanya be court-martialled. The party said his statements had moved “beyond military-to-military discussions and into the realm of foreign policy”, a responsibility reserved for elected leaders.
The controversy comes at a delicate moment for South Africa’s foreign relations. The country’s ties with Iran have long unsettled the United States. Earlier this year, Washington voiced concern about Pretoria’s growing alignment with Tehran.
Relations worsened under former US President Donald Trump, who accused South Africa of “reinvigorating” links with Iran. In 2018, he cut aid to Pretoria and falsely claimed that Ramaphosa’s government was persecuting white citizens. He also criticised South Africa for bringing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa’s engagement with Iran is not new. According to the Institute for Security Studies, a joint commission of cooperation between the two nations was established in 1995. The partnership has since included trade, energy and defence, despite international pressure.
Analysts say Gen Maphwanya’s remarks risk deepening mistrust between South Africa and Western allies, just as Pretoria tries to position itself as a champion of the Global South. For critics, the comments reflect a dangerous blurring of military leadership and foreign policy.
