Motshekga appoints board to find out if order for Iran&#x2019s naval drill withdrawal was flouted

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.

Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said on Friday that she had relayed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding Iran’s participation in naval exercises in False Bay and was appointing a board of inquiry to establish if they were ignored.

“The Minister of Defence,Hon. Angie Motshekga would like to place it on record that the instruction was clearly communicated to all parties concerned,agreed upon and to be implemented and adhered to as such,” a statement from the ministry read.

“Due to the seriousness of these allegations and reports in the media,the minister has established a board of inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the allegations and establish whether the instruction of the president may have been misrepresented and/or ignored as issued to all.”

Motshekga said she had given the board seven days after the end of the joint naval exercises,formally headed by China,to furnish her with a report on what had transpired. The drill was due to end on Friday.

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Last week,Ramaphosa told the minister to ensure that Iran withdrew from active participation and assume observer status.

However,there were indications that Iranian vessels took part in the sea phase of the exercise this week.