Overview
- Defence Minister Angie Motshekga named a board of inquiry with a seven‑day deadline to explain why the president’s instruction was not executed.
- Reports indicate three Iranian vessels participated through the 9–16 January Will for Peace 2026 exercise despite a 9 January order to withdraw issued after a US Embassy alert.
- The SANDF deleted a Facebook post that showed an Iranian corvette in the sea phase, cancelled briefings, and declined to clarify Iran’s role during the drills.
- Military analysts called for the dismissal of Motshekga and senior SANDF leaders, while opposition parties demanded an independent parliamentary investigation.
- The controversy has drawn a US rebuke and revived worries about South Africa’s AGOA trade access, adding pressure for accountability and clearer approval processes.