By Johnathan Paoli
The International Relations and Cooperation and Defence and Military Veterans ministries have both publicly distanced themselves from political statements made by SA National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya during his visit to Iran earlier this week.
Defence Ministry spokesperson Onicca Kwakwa stipulated the authority on speaking on matters of foreign policy and that the Defence Department did not make political or policy decisions on international relations.
“The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans wishes to clarify that matters of South Africa’s foreign policy and international relations are the sole prerogative of the president and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation,” the statement read.
The ministry confirmed that Minister Angie Motshekga would engage with Maphwanya upon his return.
The International Relations and Cooperation Department issued its own statement through spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, underscoring the need for military leadership to respect its exclusive jurisdiction over political statements.
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