Economic Freedom Fighters Slam the White House for Demanding a SANDF Visit to Iran
- The Economic Freedom Fighters challenged the United States' government's take on the recent SANDF trip to Iran
- The White House demanded an explanation for why the South African National Defence Force was in Iran to meet with the country's military leaders
- South Africans debated the EFF's statements as some supported him and others criticised his stance
Tebogo Mokwena, affiliated with Briefly News, covered local and international relations, political analysis, and interviews in South Africa for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News during his 10 years of experience.
Source: Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has spoken out against the United States for wanting an explanation for the South African National Defence Force's visit to Iran, which garnered criticism, and defended SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya.
The party released a statement on its @EFFSouthAfrica X account and responded to reports that Washington wants the South African government to explain why SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya met with Iran's military leaders. The party said it rejected the posture the United States has taken, slamming it as arrogant.
The party accused Washington of presuming that South Africa owes it an explanation for its diplomatic relations with other nations. The Red Berets noted that South Africa reserves the right to have trade, economic, military, and diplomatic relations with whichever nation it deems fit. The EFF also remarked that Iran is a member of the BRICS group and, as such, collaborates with South Africa on military, social, and political issues.
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The EFF noted that the United States's enemies are not South Africa's enemies. It added that Iran's engagement with South Africa was planned before tensions between South Africa and the United States rose.
Source: Getty Images
EFF defends Maphwanya
The party also defended Maphwanya and took a swipe at President Cyril Ramaphosa, who denied knowing anything about the trip and said that he would discuss it with Maphwanya upon his return to the country. The party also called his behaviour cowardly.
"General Rudzani Maphwanya, the Chief of SANDF, must firmly reject any attempts by politicians to control our army. His primary constitutional responsibility is to safeguard the people of South Africa, not to appease political agendas," the EFF said.
Read the full X statement here:
South Africans react
Netizens commenting on X reacted to the EFF's stance.
RaYah said:
"Here's how the DA gained an advantage in the election. The law of South Africa does not allow a person who permanently lives outside the country to have a say in who should govern the country."
RedWaveWire said:
"Writing statements and not keeping promises is all your party is good at."
TakaSyo ssid:
"The SANDF must not be treated as a branch of the ANC or Ramaphosa's PR machinery."
Keith Hellyar said:
"Always wanting to engage with terrorists and dictators."
TheOriginalKhutso said:
"The only people making noise about Iran are those who support apartheid, land thieving, and genocide in Palestine by Israel."
Angie Motshekga defends SANDF visit to Iran
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended Maphwanya's visit to Iran. Motshekga said that Maphwanya did nothing wrong.
Motshekgha said that she scheduled the trip for 2024 and said that the event was postponed. She also said the trip was taken out of context.
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Source: Briefly News
