💨 Abstract

The South African government has distanced itself from statements made by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya during his visit to Iran. Maphwanya had pledged solidarity with Iran and called for deeper defence ties, stating that South Africa stands with the oppressed. However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ministry of Defence clarified that such statements do not reflect the official foreign policy of South Africa.

Courtesy: Nokwanda Ncwane