Zibi Urges Ramaphosa To Dismiss ‘Spineless’ Motshekga And SANDF Chief

RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, following a controversial visit to Iran.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Zibi criticised Maphwanya’s conduct and Motshekga’s response, describing them both as unfit for their positions.

Last week, Maphwanya sparked a diplomatic uproar after Iranian state media quoted him saying that South Africa and Iran shared “common goals.” He added:

“This trip is not only a military one, but has a political message and was carried out at the best possible time to express our heartfelt feelings to the peace-loving nation of Iran.”

Government Distances Itself from Army Chief’s Remarks

The Department of Defence and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) quickly moved to distance government from Maphwanya’s remarks.

“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 ministry said in a statement.

Dirco spokesperson Crispin Phiri reinforced the position, stating: “Any statements made by an individual, or a department other than those responsible for foreign policy, should not be misinterpreted as the official position of the South African government.”

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya later confirmed that President Ramaphosa had not authorised or been informed of Maphwanya’s trip. The approval, he said, had come from Motshekga herself.

Despite this, Motshekga defended the SANDF chief, saying the visit had been planned a year earlier and was not linked to ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. She told the Sunday Times:

“It’s a coincidence that it [the trip] coincides with the tensions between Iran and the US and that we are negotiating on tariffs.”

Zibi: ‘Both Must Go’

Zibi said Maphwanya’s comments showed “zero strategic awareness and diplomatic maturity,” adding that they risked undermining South Africa’s trade negotiations with the United States.

“The general was out of line. If my name were Cyril Ramaphosa, I would tell him he’s retiring on 31 December and someone is taking over on 1 January,” Zibi said.

He also criticised Motshekga’s handling of the matter: “That Motshekga is spineless and does not want to deal with the issue does not mean she is correct. She herself is wrong, and if I were the president, I would also dismiss her as defence minister due to unsuitability and having zero strategic awareness.”

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Zibi argued that the visit to Iran sent the wrong message internationally and threatened South Africa’s diplomatic and economic interests.

“The US and Iran are enemies, the general goes there and runs his mouth because he has no strategic awareness, undermining the work that Tau and Lamola are doing. That’s ill-discipline; he must be fired.”

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