Overview

• Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya traveled to Tehran without presidential approval and publicly called for deeper military and political cooperation with Iran.
• The Presidency and Foreign Affairs Ministry have disavowed his remarks as unsanctioned and not reflective of official policy.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with Maphwanya alongside Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to demand explanations and consider disciplinary measures.
• The Defence Department described his comments as unfortunate and has launched an accountability review, though no court-martial has been announced.
• Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Alliance, are pressing for a court-martial, arguing the general overstepped his military mandate and jeopardized diplomatic relations.