President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to absolve South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya after his controversial trip to Tehran has drawn fierce criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA). The party argues that the move undermines both the impartiality of the military and the legitimacy of the presidency.

The uproar stems from Maphwanya’s remarks in Iran three weeks ago, where he pledged “common goals” with the regime, endorsed its stance on the Middle East, and promised deeper military ties. According to the DA, such statements breached the SANDF’s apolitical code and encroached on the territory of foreign policy, which rests solely with the President and the Ministry of International Relations.

Chris Hattingh, DA spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, charged that “President Ramaphosa appears to prefer expediency, and sweeping this under the carpet, to real accountability.” He noted that the President had several disciplinary tools at his disposal, including reprimand, dismissal, or forced retirement, but chose none.

The DA further pointed out that Maphwanya’s actions had already drawn condemnation from the Minister of International Relations and even the Presidency itself at the time, suggesting that government recognised the seriousness of the overstep. To walk back those concerns now, the party argued, damages South Africa’s credibility abroad and emboldens authoritarian partners at the expense of democratic allies.