A diplomatic storm is brewing in Pretoria after South Africa’s army chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, reportedly pledged military and political support to Iran during a recent visit to the country. His comments have triggered a South Africa Iran row, drawing criticism from government partners, opposition parties, and the presidency.
Members of the governing coalition accused the general of “reckless grandstanding,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa called the trip “ill-advised” and confirmed he would meet Maphwanya to discuss the matter. The Democratic Alliance went further, urging that the general be court-martialled, arguing that he had overstepped his role and strayed into foreign policy — an area reserved for the executive.
According to Iranian state media, Maphwanya told his counterparts that South Africa and Iran shared common goals, standing “alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world.” He also criticised Israel over the Gaza war and expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause, adding that his visit carried “a political message” from Ramaphosa’s administration.
The South African government has distanced itself from these remarks. The defence department labelled them “unfortunate,” and the foreign ministry stressed they do not reflect official policy. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed Ramaphosa neither authorised nor knew about the trip, saying the general should have been “a lot more circumspect” in his statements.
South Africa’s close relationship with Iran has long been a point of tension with the United States. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump cut off aid to South Africa, citing Pretoria’s “reinvigorated” ties with Tehran, and accused the government of persecuting white citizens and pursuing a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice — claims widely disputed by Pretoria.
Bilateral relations with Iran date back to 1995, when a joint commission of cooperation was established. Analysts at the Institute for Security Studies note that these ties have weathered decades of shifting global politics, but the South Africa Iran row now risks further straining relations with key Western partners.
With Maphwanya back in South Africa, political pressure is mounting for Ramaphosa to take decisive action — balancing domestic expectations, military discipline, and the delicate geopolitics surrounding Iran.
