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The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes Defence Minister Angie Motshekga’s conduct in shielding General Rudzani Maphwanya from accountability is so serious that it deserves for her to be fired. Her latest defence of Maphwanya’s misconduct in Tehran shows she is unfit for office and is causing irreparable harm to South Africa’s image.

Instead of holding General Maphwanya accountable for overstepping his constitutional mandate, Motshekga endorsed his version of events and declared herself “satisfied” with his report.

By doing so, she has chosen to side with an unelected general who engaged in unsanctioned political diplomacy in Iran. This is a blatant violation of the SANDF Code of Conduct.

According to Iranian state media, Maphwanya pledged “common goals” with Tehran, endorsed its stance on Gaza, and promised deeper strategic ties. These are political pronouncements no soldier has the authority to make.

Motshekga’s decision to shield him undermines one of the cornerstones of our democracy: civilian oversight of the military. Instead of safeguarding South Africa’s constitutional and diplomatic interests, she has rubber-stamped conduct that weakens our standing among democratic allies and strengthens ties with authoritarian regimes.

Her failure is not just an error of judgment and a failure of leadership. By placing political expedience above accountability, she has sent the message that generals may act as they please without consequence, while ministers will look the other way. This cannot be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.

South Africa is already struggling with strained international relations. Now, under Motshekga’s watch, our global credibility and national security are being further eroded. Every day she remains in office deepens the damage.

President Ramaphosa has a duty as Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF to act decisively. He must hold Motshekga and General Maphwanya accountable, and send a clear signal that South Africa remains committed to constitutional order, civilian control of the military, and respect for democratic values.

The DA will not allow our nation’s hard-earned democratic principles to be trampled by a Minister who has failed in her most basic duty: to put South Africa first.

Issued by Chris Hattingh MP - DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans