The Democratic Alliance (DA) expressed concerns with the confidentiality provisions surrounding the newly established Presidential panel into the participation of Iran in the BRICS Plus Chinese-led Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace.

On Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the investigation into the participation of Iran in the naval exercise, after his request that Iran withdraw from the drills was ignored.

The investigative panel, which will report directly to Ramaphosa, will be chaired by Justice Bernard Ngoepe, who will be assisted by Justice Kathleen Satchwell, Justice Mashangu Monica Leeuw and Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Patrick Duze.

The Presidency noted that owing to national security reasons, the panel’s work would be confidential, and that the President would decide, based on recommendations, whether to make the findings of the investigation public.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said national security could not be used as a shield to obscure “failures” of constitutional authority.

“When civilian control over the South African National Defence Force is in question, transparency is not optional,” he stated.

The DA called for accountability, and consequences for identified failures.

The party wants Ramaphosa to release the inquiry’s findings in full, and only redact strictly necessary security concerns.

“South Africa’s defence leadership cannot operate under doubt and uncertainty. The country needs clarity, discipline and accountability and certainly not another process that disappears behind closed doors,” Hattingh said.

Last month the party called for an urgent parliamentary debate to enforce accountability in the matter.

Hattingh said Ramaphosa’s ignored request was not a procedural mishap.

“That is a breakdown in the chain of command. This should never have dragged on for over a month,” he said.

He noted that Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga had promised a report within seven days of the exercise concluding.

“…that deadline passed without explanation. South Africans were met with delays, uncertainty and silence. In any disciplined military, a breach of command authority would be addressed immediately – not allowed to drift unresolved for weeks,” he pointed out.

He said if the Commander-in-Chief gave an instruction, it should be obeyed.

If it was ignored, the country deserves to know by whom, why, and what consequences will follow, he added.