The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday called for a judicial inquiry and an urgent parliamentary debate to enforce accountability in the matter involving Iran’s participation in BRICS Plus naval exercises recently held near Cape Town.

Last week, South Africa's defence ministry said it would launch a probe into Iran's participation in the exercises, this after President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Iran to withdraw from the event to avoid antagonising the US.

The Department of Defence (DoD) explained that the drills formed part of a China-led joint, inter-agency, inter-departmental, multinational exercise, hosted in South Africa under the theme ‘Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities’.

“Exercise Will For Peace 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials… This theme reflects the collective commitment of all participating navies to safeguard maritime trade routes, enhance shared operational procedures and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives,” the DoD had said.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh described the apparent defiance of Ramaphosa's orders as “a chain-of-command failure”, and not an operational issue.

He called for accountability under decisive presidential action and public disclosure of how the issue would be addressed.

The party wants the judicial inquiry to establish who authorised Iran’s participation after Ramaphosa had asked for a withdrawal.

He stressed the DA’s call for transparency and parliamentary scrutiny over the matter.

“...since then, it has emerged that Iranian warships participated despite credible reports of a presidential instruction to exclude them; official explanations shifted repeatedly; communications were deleted; and the Iranian vessels remain in South African waters. Independent analysis confirms a serious breakdown in command, control, and civilian oversight,” Hattingh said.

He wants Ramaphosa to “deal decisively” with Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and publicly disclose his plan of action.

Last week, the DA urged Motshekga to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Defence to account for the handling of Ramaphosa’s order.

Hattingh highlighted that despite announcing a Board of Inquiry, Motshekga had not appointed it or published its terms of reference.

“Accountability cannot wait on a process that does not exist. The President must now step in, assert control, and make clear to Parliament and the public what corrective action will be taken, by whom, and on what timeline,” he said.

He said the DA wanted an urgent parliamentary debate, alongside action from Ramaphosa and the transparent disclosure of his plan to restore civilian oversight and command integrity.

“Civilian control of the military underpins South Africa’s democracy. When that control is weakened, the constitutional order is put at risk,” he warned.