Were Ramaphosa’s instructions on Iran’s participation in naval drill ignored? Motshekga orders probe
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has ordered a probe into whether instructions issued by Cyril Ramaphosa regarding Iran’s participation in a multinational naval exercise off South Africa’s coast were properly followed.
Image: AFP
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has ordered a probe into whether instructions issued by Cyril Ramaphosa regarding Iran’s participation in a multinational naval exercise off South Africa’s coast were properly followed.
Image: AFP
South Africa has launched a formal inquiry into allegations that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding Iran’s participation in a multinational naval exercise were misrepresented or ignored, following conflicting reports about Tehran’s role in the drills.
In a media statement issued on Friday, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said the president’s instructions on how Exercise Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted — “in particular the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran” — were clearly communicated to all parties, agreed upon, and meant to be implemented accordingly.
The statement follows days of confusion and political controversy over whether Iran was a full participant or merely an observer in the exercise, which is being hosted by South Africa and involves several foreign navies operating in waters off the Western Cape.
“Due to the seriousness of these allegations and reports in the media, the minister has established a board of inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the allegations and establish whether the instruction of the president may have been misrepresented and/or ignored as issued to all,” Motshekga said.
The board of inquiry is expected to establish all the facts surrounding what transpired during the exercise and submit a report to the Minister within seven days after the completion of the drills.
The controversy has centred on Iran’s presence during the exercise, with reports suggesting mixed messaging within government and the defence establishment about the scope of Tehran’s involvement. Iran’s participation has drawn criticism internationally, particularly from the United States, which has described Tehran as a destabilising actor and raised concerns about South Africa hosting Iranian naval assets.
Presidency sources have previously indicated that President Cyril Ramaphosa had issued specific guidance on Iran’s role, amid concerns about diplomatic fallout and South Africa’s stated non-aligned foreign policy stance.
In her statement, Motshekga stressed that government departments involved in the exercise had been acting in close coordination.
“It can further be stated that all government entities in this event have been working very closely, in consultation with each other at every step,” she said.
Exercise Will for Peace 2026 is part of broader efforts to deepen maritime cooperation with strategic partners and emerging economies, including BRICS-aligned states. The exercise has involved naval forces operating from Simon’s Town naval base and surrounding waters, under the coordination of the South African National Defence Force.
The findings of the board of inquiry are expected to clarify whether Iran participated in line with presidential instructions and whether any deviations occurred at the command or administrative level.
The Department of Defence stated that further communication would follow once the inquiry concludes.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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