The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has sought to clarify that the comments by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya during his visit to Iran, do not represent the country’s foreign policy. This after Maphwanya was quoted saying that South Africa and Iran share common goals in fighting global arrogance, expressed dislike for Israel’s actions in Gaza, and called for deeper military ties between the two countries.
Maphwanya’s comments come in the middle of a diplomatic stand-off between the country and the US-administration, as the US has in the past accused Pretoria of supporting Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.
Both Pretoria and Tehran have diplomatic ties, but South Africa have denied that it has any agreements with Iran over nuclear weapons.
“The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has taken note of recent media reports concerning comments attributed to South African National Defence Force General Rudzani Maphwanya. It is crucial to clarify that the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy is a function of The Presidency, supported by DIRCO. Consequently, any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African Government. The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not represent the government’s official foreign policy stance,” said the department spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.
Phiri said Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will be seeking further clarification from relevant authorities, regarding Maphwanya’s remarks. Meanwhile, the Department of Defence and Military Veterans has distanced itself from Maphwanya’s remarks, adding that it does not make political or policy decisions on international relations.
“It is unfortunate that political and policy statements were reportedly made during the meeting between General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the SANDF and the Iran Defence Force Leadership. The Department of Defence reiterates that only the President and DIRCO determine South Africa’s national policy on international relations. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans will be engaging with General Maphwanya on his return,” read a statement from the department.
