Opposition political parties in South Africa’s parliament called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to disclose the contents of the independent panel report into the alleged failure to comply with his instruction not to include the Iranian Navy in the Exercise ‘Will of Peace’ naval exercises at Simon's Town outside Cape Town in January this year.

Ramaphosa's office on October 27 disclosed the presidency instituted the probe surrounding the exercise that “showed a failure to heed the President’s instruction that the navy of the Republic of Iran must no longer participate in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 that took place in South African waters."

The incident raised questions about compliance with the president's instructions as commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force.

However, his office says the report will not be made public due to national security concerns.

Opposition reaction

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Carl Niehaus says the public is entitled to know the findings and recommendations of the panel report in order to avoid any future occurrences of a similar nature.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says national security should not be used as an excuse to shield an alleged failure to comply with the President’s instruction.

DA MP Chris Hattingh says, “Ten months later, with already R4 million spent on legal invoices alone, the report was received by President Ramaphosa, but it will remain a secret. In any accountable military basic commands, facts should be established within 30 minutes.”

He adds: “Who received the order, who failed to implement it, who faces consequences. Our international partners are waiting. The DA demands that the findings be made public, a full disclosure of costs not on legal invoices alone.”

The Will for Peace 2026 (formerly referred to as Exercise Mosi III) was a multinational naval drill held from January 9 to January 16, 2026, in South African waters and airspace near Simon's Town and Cape Town.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly issued a directive that the Iranian navy should not participate in the drills. However, Iran still took part, leading President Ramaphosa to order an independent probe led by retired Gauteng Judge President Bernard Ngoepe.