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A Russian vessel arrives at the Simon’s Town Naval base ahead of the BRICS Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for a joint naval exercises in South Africa’s, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 9, 2026.
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has defended South Africa’s role in the recent BRICS Plus naval exercises, which included Iran.
Speaking to the SABC, Mbalula said the naval drills were a BRICS initiative led by China, and that Iran’s participation was addressed through diplomatic protocols.
His comments come amid criticism from the United States and confirmation by the Defence Ministry that an inquiry is underway into whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions on Iran’s involvement were properly implemented.
Government has, however, maintained that South Africa’s conduct did not breach diplomatic or security procedures.
Mbalula says the drills were not initiated by South Africa and that the country merely provided a platform for the exercise.
“These drills are not South Africa’s. South Africa was just availing its platform, which in our case [was] to allow BRICS countries to do this. Then they brought along Iran and then it is South Africa that intervened … yeah, it [Iran] is a member of BRICS. But at the end of the day, at the level of security in terms of diplomatic protocols, these issues were resolved there. So, our generals from the briefing that we got did nothing wrong,” explains Mbalula.
Inquiry launched into Iran’s presence in naval drill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NcWGqQrEyg
