Why is the commander of the South African Army under fire to support Iran? | International Trade News

The commander of the South African Army, General Rodzani Mavwwania, is facing a violent reaction in his country of origin after the release of the alleged comments he made during an official visit to Iran, which analysts say may increase the complexity of relations between South Africa and the United States.

Comments, which seemed to indicate that Iran and South Africa have joint military targets, come at a time when Pretoria is trying to reform tense relations with US President Donald Trump to achieve stability in trade.

Last week, a 30 percent commercial tariff kicked on South African goods entering the United States, and worried business owners in the country. This is despite President Cyril Ramavusa Attempts to please TrumpIncluding by leading a delegation to the White House in May.

Here is what to know about what the army commander said and why there is a violent reaction to that:

What did the army commander in Iran say?

A meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Major General Sayed Abdul -Rarah Mousavi in Tehran on Tuesday, and stated that Mavwania stated that the two countries have close relations, according to the Iranian government news agency, press television, and The Tehran Times.

“Leader Mavwania, who mentions the historical support of Iran for the struggle of the anti -BAT, stated that these relations formulated a permanent link between the two countries.”

According to the Tehran Times, he continued: “The Republic of South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran have common targets. We are always dealing with persecuted people who are not dismissed in the world.”

According to Mavwwania, “the bombing of Israeli civilians standing in a queue for food” and “its ongoing aggression in the occupied West Bank,” said Tehran Times.

“It carries a political message” and comes “at the best possible time to express our heartfelt feelings with the people of Iran who loved peace.”

On the other hand, General Musafi praised the issue of the genocide of South Africa against the “Zionist regime” in the International Court of Justice, and said that this effort was in line with Iran’s policies, according to the press TV.

He also condemned the American military and economic actions against Iran as “violations of international laws and standards.” He added that the Iranian army is ready to provide a “more decisive response in the event of a renewed aggression,” according to the Al -Sahafa TV newspaper.

How was the South African government’s reaction?

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramavusa’s office explained that the president was not aware of General Mavwania’s visit to Iran, although this trip is usually approved by the Ministry of Defense, not the President’s office.

Ramavusa Mavwwania was appointed head of the army in 2021. The general served in South Africa during the racist era, at the Army Pavilion at the African National Congress (ANC), which began as a liberation movement, and ordered a parliamentary majority until 2024.

Presidential spokesman Vincent Magoina said at a press conference that the general’s decision to visit Iran was very appropriate.

“In this period of increasing geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, one can say that the visit was unprecedented, and more than that, the general should have been more cautious with the comments he provided.”

He added: “We are in a sensitive process to reset political relations with the United States, but more importantly, achieving a balance between the commercial relationship in a way that makes the commercial relationship useful mutual.”

Likewise, the Ministry of International Relations and the Ministry of Defense dismantled the government of the alleged army commander’s comments.

“It is unfortunate that political and political statements have been made … The Minister of Defense and Military (Matsi Angelina Machikhaga) will participate with General Mavwana upon his return,” he read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance Party (DA), one of the four parties that constitute the South African coalition government, calls for the prosecution of the army commander in a military court on the basis of “serious misconduct and the violation of Sandf National Code (South Africa National).”

“According to the Iranian government media, General Mavwania exceeded his constitutional and professional mandate, as he pledged” common goals “with Iran, which led to the support of his position on Gaza, and called for the deeper strategic consensus,” Da said in a statement on Thursday.

The party added: “These political statements are explicitly prohibited to serve the officers, and violate Sandaf’s duty of political neutrality, and undermines the constitutional principle of civil control over the army.”

Analysts say that the United States and South Africa relations are at its lowest decades, which makes this time especially sensitive, as well as the 12 -day June war between Iran and the American coalition.

President Trump slapped a 30 percent tariff on South Africa goods that enter the United States as part of the wide mutual mutual Tariff wars In April. The United States is a major destination for South African commodities such as cars, precious metals and wine.

Trump’s main grip with Pretoria South Africa, which incites the issue of genocide against Israel, an ally of the United States in the International Court of Justice, includes the ongoing war in Gaza. Earlier, South Africa was accused of strengthening relations with Iran.

Trump also has Say a mistake White South Africa are persecuted in the country under the majority of the black leadership of the African National Congress Party, the country’s main political party to which President Ramavusa belongs. It also claims that South Africa Earth confiscation It belongs to the eggs.

White South Africa are a rich minority and grandchildren to the Dutch settlers. African governments took control of the country under the racist separation system until 1990.

The wealth of South Africa, especially the lands, is still unparalleled by the white population in the country. Recently, the extremist AFRIKANER groups that claim to be targeted by blacks have appeared, indicating the cases of white farmers who were attacked by criminals in their agricultural lands.

Illon Musk, Trump’s advisor for one time before its public repercussions in June, also submitted calls for white persecution and claimed that the laws of the South African government were preventing his internet company from working in the country.

It was referring to the laws that require that foreign companies be partly owned by blacks or other historically deprived groups, such as people who suffer from disability.

The South African government has denied the accusations of musk.

In early May, the Trump government has recognized 59 “refugees” in the resettlement program aimed at protecting them.

Previously, the United States was, during the era On its close relations with Russia And its audio criticism of Israel.

Analyst Chris Vandum of Tank Tank Chatam House said the last accident was repeating the 2022 scandal when a Russian cargo ship was established by Lady R at the Simon base in Simon in the west of Cape. At that time, the United States claimed that South Africa’s military supplies were loaded on the ship and used in the Ukraine war, as it claims South Africa.

He said, “It lies in the formation of foreign policy in South Africa, lack of clarity and consistency around it who created this ambiguity, where people believe that they say things that are in line with what the nation thinks.”

How did South Africa try to satisfy the United States?

On May 21, President Ramavusa Delegation To the White House in an attempt to “reset relationships” with Trump and we hope that you will secure low tariff deals.

However, at the hot meeting, Trump refused to retract his allegations of white persecution, despite Ramavusa that South Africa was facing a widespread crime in general, and that there was no evidence that eggs in particular were targeted.

South Africa offered, during the meeting, the purchase of liquefied natural gas and investment $ 3.3 billion in American industries, in exchange for low tariffs. The delegation also agreed to review the country’s ownership laws.

However, Trump’s tariff entered 30 percent in effect last week. Analysts say it can endanger up to 30,000 jobs in South Africa, especially in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Meanwhile, the Ramavusa government promised to take more measures to reduce the burden on manufacturers and exporters. On Tuesday, Trade Minister Parks Tao told the correspondents that South Africa had made a revised proposal to Washington, without providing details.

Speaking to South Africa TV, security analyst Jacky Cellhers, SABC, said that the statements of General Mavwana this week, so, “could not come in a worse time” for the diplomatic relations in South Africa.

“In order for the chief of the National Defense Force to utter unambiguously and is noticeably a political sensitive,” Celers said, adding that the general can be asked to resign upon his return.

What did General Mavwania say?

Mavwania, who said the presidency has returned to the country, did not indicate public data on the controversy. It is not clear how the government can punish it. A presidential spokesman said President Ramavusa is to meet with the army commander for surroundings in the coming weeks.