The Department of International Relations issued a rare rebuke, stating that the department and the Presidency alone handle SA’s international relations.
The Department of Defence has echoed the criticism in its own statement.
Maphwanya is expected to meet with Minister Angie Motshekga upon his return. This comes after the European Union threatened Iran with sanctions for not engaging in talks on its nuclear programme, and the United States cancelled military exercises with the SANDF in the Free State province at the last minute.
