Presidency: Action will be taken against SANDF’s Rudzani Maphwanya over his Iran comments! The Presidency has not decided on appropriate consequences for the army chief’s “ill-advised” comments during a recent visit to Iran.
On Tuesday, South African National Defence Force chief, Rudzani Maphwanya, travelled to Tehran, where he reportedly said that South Africa and Iran must strengthen political and military ties.
His comments have not gone down well in Pretoria, with the Presidency and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issuing a sharp rebuke of Maphwanya for overstepping his role.
SANDF’s Rudzani Maphwanya
The Presidency said the military chief had the authority to travel to foreign countries and discuss military-related matters.
However, it said that Maphwanya’s comments in Iran went beyond that and into foreign policy.
At a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that action would be taken against the army chief.
“With respect to the DA’s calls for a court-martial, it’s difficult to speak to. One would have to look at what constitutes the grave nature of charges or accusations that will require a court-martial.”
Magwenya said that President Cyril Ramaphosa would be meeting with the army chief over the next few weeks to get a report.
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