Ngoepe to chair inquiry into Iran naval drill

South Africa has appointed a retired judge to chair an inquiry into Iran’s participation in naval drills off the coast of Cape Town earlier this month, following conflicting reports about the Islamic Republic’s involvement in the exercises.

Judge Bernard Ngoepe will chair the investigating board, while judges Monica Leeuw and Kathleen Satchwell, together with Patrick Duze – a retired rear admiral from the South African Navy – are the other members of the body, the Department of Defence said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Warships from some members of the Brics group of developing nations, including Iran, Russia and China, arrived in South African waters in early January for a naval exercise, with the US criticising Tehran’s participation for undermining maritime security and regional stability.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran over a violent crackdown against protesters, and said the US will impose a 25% tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with the nation.

Pictures show Iranian officials ‘were present’

While local news outlet News24 reported that Pretoria had persuaded Iran to withdraw from the war games, pictures on the South African National Defence Force’s Facebook page showed captains of participating vessels docked in the naval base in Simon’s Town, with Iranian officials present.

Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga said President Cyril Ramaphosa had issued clear instructions on how the drills should be conducted – which dealt with Iran’s participation in particular – and they had been clearly communicated.

The board will investigate and report on “the serious allegations that the president’s instructions may have not been carried out, misrepresented and or ignored” regarding Iran’s participation, the Department of Defence said.

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