A general view of the Iranian navy ship, the IRIS Makran 441, in False Bay near Simon's Town, Cape Town, on January 8, 2026.
JOHANNESBURG - The Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, has set up a board of inquiry into the Exercise Will for Peace 2026 naval exercise.
Judge Bernard Ngoepe has been appointed to lead the inquiry.
The board will investigate whether the president's instructions regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran's participation were followed.
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"The aim of the Board of Inquiry is to investigate and report on the serious allegations that the President’s instructions may have not been carried out, misrepresented and or ignored regarding the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy during Exercise Will for Peace 2026," the Department of Defence said in a statement.
"In the endeavor to ensure transparency and full independence, consultation with the identified members of the board took longer than expected, thus impacting on the deadline as set. The Board will commence its work as soon as all administrative aspects have been put in place.”