President Ramaphosa Institutes Naval Exercise Probe And Appoints Panel To Investigate 

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Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted a probe into how his instructions regarding excluding an Iranian vessel were ignored during the Exercise MOSI III Will of Peace, and has appointed an investigative panel led by Justice B.M. Ngoepe as chairperson

Justice Ngoepe will be assisted by Justice K. Satchwell, Justice M.M. Leeuw, and R. Adm (JG) P.T. Duze. The Panel will report directly to the President.

Announcing the move on Thursday, 26 February 2026, the Presidency explained that: “The instituting of the panel relates to the failure to heed the instruction by the President that the navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in South African waters”.

Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, further explained that the relocation of the inquiry from the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans to the Presidency is to ensure an independent and timeous probe.

The President is, in terms of section 202(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996,  the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force.

The Panel will investigate and make recommendations in relation to the circumstances surrounding the exercise, the factors that may have contributed to the failure to observe the President’s order, the person or persons responsible, and the consequences to follow.

“The Panel will have the power to summon any member of the defence force and/or public service it needs, and to request all documents, including classified documents, to fulfil its mandate,” stated Magwenya.

“President Ramaphosa has directed that the Panel must finish its work and report to the President within one calendar month of its establishment.”

The President may, on compelling cause shown, extend the period of the Panel’s proceedings.

Due to national security considerations, the work of the Panel will be confidential.

“President Ramaphosa may, on the recommendation of the Panel and the Minister, decide to publicise or not to publicise all or any portion of the outcomes of the Panel’s investigation,” said Magwenya.

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