Picture: SANDF participating in Exercise Will for Peace 2026
By REGINALD KANYANE
22 July 2026 – The Democratic Alliance (DA) alleged that the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s promised investigation into the alleged failure to stop Iran from participating in Exercise Will for Peace 2026 has stalled. The DA said although Ramaphosa ordered that the investigation be completed within one month, he has confirmed that he has still not received the report, which is now only expected within six months.
However, DA Member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh said no reason has been given for the delay. Hattingh said in January 2026, the Minister of Defence announced a Board of Inquiry and undertook that it would report within one week, but it never did.
“The investigation was then removed from the Ministry and transferred to the Presidency. On 26 February 2026, the Presidency stated that the matter had been taken over to ensure an independent and timeous investigation into the alleged failure to implement the President’s instruction regarding Iran’s participation.
“The panel was directed to report within one calendar month, subject only to an extension on compelling cause shown. This is no longer merely about a naval exercise. It is about the constitutional principle of civilian control over the military,” he said.
Hattingh further said Section 202 of the Constitution vests supreme command of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the President. He added that if his instruction was ignored, South Africans deserve to know.
“If it was not, the President should say so unequivocally. The basic command-and-control facts should have been established within days, not months. Instead, Parliament still does not know who authorised Iran’s participation, why the President’s instruction was allegedly not implemented or who is accountable.
“The DA will pursue this matter until South Africans know what happened, who was responsible and what corrective action has been taken. The authority of the Commander-in-Chief is not negotiable, civilian control of the military is not optional and accountability cannot be delayed indefinitely,” said Hattingh.
The Guardian 