DA condemns SANDF Chief’s Iran comments as ‘reckless grandstanding’

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has described comments on Iran by Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya as reckless grandstanding, which comes as relations with the US remain fraught.

In a statement, the DA says the comments made by Maphwanya while on an official visit to Tehran were blatant political diplomacy that fell far outside the General’s constitutional and professional mandate.

The DA says Maphwanya went well beyond military-to-military discussions – publicly pledging “common goals” with Iran in global affairs and endorsing Tehran’s political positions on the war in Gaza.

The party states that foreign policy is the domain of the elected Government of National Unity and must be conducted exclusively through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The Department of International Relations says only the government or those responsible for South Africa’s foreign policy can make statements.

DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri says Minister Ronald Lamola will seek clarity on this matter.

“Any statement made by the department or individuals other than those responsible for foreign policy should not be misrepresented as the official position of the South African government. Remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent government’s official foreign policy stance.”