South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief of staff Rudzani Maphwanya’s official visit to Iran which was sanction by Defence and Military Minister Angie Motshekga has come under the spot light. Maphwanya in an official capacity for South Africa and the SANDF stated that both South Africa and Iran had “common goals”. This has sent seismic waves through the government of National Unity (GNU) with Minister of Agriculture and Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen calling for Mapwhanya’s dismissal as SANDF chief of staff. Harsh criticism of Maphwanya’s statements from Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and the Presidency, as they felt the military chief has entered into foreign policy matters. However, Maphwanya is unlikely to be dismissed.
Amid calls from the Democratic Alliance (DA) for a court martial against the SANDF general, Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet Maphwanya next week. According to the Sunday Times, no disciplinary action will be taken against either Maphwanya or Motshekga. Motshekga defended the SANDF chief, insisting that his visit to Iran was entirely appropriate. “It’s a coincidence that it [the trip] coincides with the tensions between Iran and the US and that we are negotiating on tariffs. “This invitation is from last year. I sanctioned it last year. The event was postponed, and they then communicated back to say let’s continue,” she told the publication. The minister also told News24 that Maphwanya’s comments had been misinterpreted. “Is it because Iran is in conflict with America that we are now also not allowed to touch Iran. We have our own bilateral relations with countries,” she said.
It should be made clear that neither Motshekga nor President Cyril Ramaphosa are that concerned about the tariffs imposed by Washington. They know no matter what they do nothing will change the US’s stance on tariffs imposed on South Africa. Ramaphosa is looking towards greater integration with the rest of Africa. South Africa as a BRICS Plus member sees Iran also a member of the bloc as an ally through thick and thin. Ramaphosa has no intention to dismiss Maphwanya whose tenure as our military’s chief of staff expires at the end of the year. US President Donald Trump and his administration may be or annoyed or even angered by Mawphanya’s visit, but nothing they say will change anything. Pretoria and Iran may even have warmer relations due to the imposition of tariffs by Washington. Steenhuisen on the other hand has a different perspective on the matter.
Steenhuisen said Maphwanya’s statements violated the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) duty of political neutrality and undermined civilian oversight of the military. While the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Defence have publicly dissociated government from Maphwanya’s remarks, confirming they did not reflect official policy, Steenhuisen said that the SANDF’s own media response had been defensive and dismissive. He added that Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga’s unwillingness to enforce military discipline was alarming. Steenhuisen emphasised government’s role was to create an enabling environment that allowed South African producers to compete internationally. “We have put together a high-level negotiating team to broker a deal with the US. The deal ticks all the boxes from a trade perspective, but work is still needed to ease geopolitical tension. Comments like Maphwanya’s intrude on sensitive terrain and should result in a court martial,” he explained.
Since Maphwanya is already stepping done as the head of the military’s top brass, Steenhuisen’s calls for his dismissal will mean nothing. As far as Ramaphosa’s leadership of the GNU is concerned the firing of Maphwanya would be irrelevant to improving any diplomatic relations would Washington. Maphwanya will remain at SANDF’s helm until the end of the year. Steenhuisen may be bellowing hot air over the matter and neither President nor the other coalition partners, care. After having delt with Trump and his whims Ramaphosa is clearly looking to BRICS for allies. Ramaphosa does not care about assembling a high-level negotiating team to reason with Trump and his inner circle. It has become clear that the Trump administration is beyond reason. Steenhuisen and the DA along with other traditional centrist parties will find themselves left behind if they think the US and Trump will come to their rescue.
The times are changing.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
