President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the report of the panel he set up following circumstances that “showed a failure to heed” his instruction that Iran’s navy no longer take part in a Chinese-led naval exercise that took place in South African waters at the beginning of this year. That report, however, remains confidential, according to a statement issued yesterday by Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.

Ramaphosa ordered an investigation into the South African Navy after senior military officials apparently defied his instruction to exclude Iran from the Chinese-led Exercise Will for Peace. Ramaphosa had ordered Iran’s withdrawal amid concerns that conducting joint naval exercises with Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow would further damage South Africa’s already strained relations with the United States. Despite the instruction, Iranian warships participated in the exercise, raising serious questions about military discipline and the authority of the president as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

“Due to national security considerations, the work of the panel, including the report, remains confidential,” Magwenya said.

“President Ramaphosa had directed the panel to finish its work and report to him within one (1) calendar month of its establishment. However, the panel was able to present a compelling cause for the period of its work to be extended,” Magwenya said.

“The president will be processing the report and carefully consider its recommendations,” he concluded.