Presidency Reacts to SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya’s Iran Visit

• The Presidency has weighed in on the South African National Defence Force Chief Rudzani Maphwanya's visit to Iran
• Maphwanay faced criticism after he said that South Africa stood in solidarity with Iran and other oppressed groups
• The presidency said that Maphwanya's statements were ill-advised, and South Africans agreed with the presidency

Tebogo Mokwena, affiliated with Briefly News, covered local and international relations, political analysis, and interviews in South Africa for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News during his 10 years of experience.

TSHWANE, GAUTENG— The President commented on South African National Defence Force Chief Rudznai Maphwanya's visit to Iran, in which he uttered statements that earned him criticism from the public sector.

According to eNCA, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Maphwanya's visit to Iran was ill-advised. He said that the trip was not sanctioned and his statements might affect trade talks between the country and the United States.

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Magwenya said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was not aware of the trip. He said that Ramaphosa does not get involved in supervising the generals' traveling.

"There is a concern. At this period of geopolitical tensions as well as conflict in the Middle East, one can say that the visit was still advised. The expectation is that the general should have been circumspect with the comments he made, which delved into the area of foreign policy," he said.

Magwanya said that the country is resetting diplomatic relations with the United States, resetting political relations with the US, and balancing he trade relationship that is mutually beneficial. He said Maphwanya's statements were not helpful.

What did Maphwanya say?

Maphwanya visited Iran on 12 August 20205 and met with the country's military leadership. He said that the two countries were united by anti-arrogance, anti-colonial, and justice-seeking principles.

His visit came in the wake of attempts by the South African government to revive trade relations with the United States. This was after the United States President Donald Trump's 30% tariffs came into effect on 7 August. The Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, said that the government submitted a new trade deal, but did not indicate what was in the deal.

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What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook discussed the Presidency's take.

Bruno Valterio said:

"So the Chief of Defence Forces goes to Iran and the president doesn't know about it lol."

Etienne Schut said:

"Who authorised the trip? The chief can never leave the country without informing and requesting the permission of the commander-in-chief."

Kekeletso Malekane said:

"Honestly feels like the security forces are preparing a coup."

Dorin Raftopolous asked:

"Didn't Ramaphosa recently fire someone else for taking an unsanctioned trip?"

Nocholas van Zyl said:

"What a comedy show this presidency is."

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In a statement, the Presidency said that the two presidents undertook to continue with further engagements on how to improve trade between the two nations.

Source: Briefly News