The US has accused South Africa's defence ministry of refusing to obey orders from its own government to send home Iranian warships that have been conducting naval exercises in the African country's waters.
South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran, it said in a statement.
In response, South Africa's defence ministry said it was launching an inquiry to get to the root of these serious allegations.
Washington has criticized South Africa for inviting Iran at a time when a brutal crackdown against protests was happening in the Middle Eastern country.
It said the South African military's actions did not amount to non-alignment but were instead a choice to stand with Iran.
William Gumede, an associate professor at the University of Witwatersrand, stated, These are all democratic violations and human rights abuses and we have not heard a whimper from the ANC.
In a strongly worded statement, the US embassy in South Africa noted with concern and alarm reports that the country's defence minister and its defence forces had defied government orders regarding Iran's naval presence.
On Friday, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga affirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa's instructions were clearly communicated and would be implemented.
The naval drill, dubbed Peace Resolve, began last Friday and is being led by China, involving other members from BRICS+, an alliance that includes Russia, Brazil, India, and other developing nations.
Iranian warships had reportedly arrived in Cape Town before the order to redirect them was issued.
