A Blight on SA’s Democracy

Statement by Ryan Smith MP – DA Spokesperson on International Relations & Cooperation:

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga’s attendance at the 47th Commemoration of the Islamic Revolution Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a blight on South African democracy and a violation of our nation’s foreign policy rooted in the principles of the constitution. The event was held by the Iranian Embassy in Pretoria on Friday 6 February 2026.

Minister Chikunga’s attendance in her capacity as a serving member of the national executive signals the support of the South African government for the authoritarian regime in Iran guilty of the brutal massacre of thousands of its own civilians in anti-government protests in recent weeks.

This act is not only a violation of Minister Chikunga’s oath of office and solemn affirmation to the Constitution of the Republic as outlined in Schedule 2, but showcases the Minister’s arrogant disdain for, and total disregard of, the tens of thousands of South African citizens who sacrificed their lives in the decades-long fight for freedom against the apartheid regime.

The fight for liberation by the people of Iran mirrors the fight for freedom waged by the people of South Africa against racial oppression. Minister Chikunga’s public support of the Islamic Republic of Iran signals the backing of the South African government for modern day autocracies suppressing their citizens using the apartheid playbook. The blood of Iran’s massacred civilians is on Minister Chikunga’s hands.

Even more ironic, is the support of the South African Minister for Women attending a diplomatic event held by a country which has stripped its women of their human rights and continues to uphold a deeply patriarchal society by militant force. The women of South Africa deserve to know that this is what their minister publicly advocates for and supports.

The DA as a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU) condemns this act of diplomatic recklessness in the strongest possible terms. We reject the African National Congress’ (ANC) attempt to subvert the constitution and hijack the South African government to trample upon the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran stands as the very antithesis to South Africa’s constitutional democracy. We have nothing in common with theocratic dictators and have no business celebrating the Iranian regime and its wanton massacre of innocent civilians.