Opposition parties demand release of Ngoepe panel report
Parties in Parliament want President Cyril Ramaphosa to make public the findings of a panel led by retired judge Bernard Ngoepe. The President's office says the report will not be released because of national security concerns.
The panel looked into an alleged failure to follow Ramaphosa's instruction not to include the Iranian Navy in the "Will of Peace" naval exercises. Ramaphosa says he is processing the report and considering its recommendations.
DA MP Chris Hattingh said R4 million has already been spent on legal invoices alone. He said ten months have passed since the matter began. The DA says national security should not shield an alleged failure to comply with the President's instruction.
EFF MP Carl Niehaus said the public is entitled to know the findings. He claimed the President allowed himself to be intimidated by Donald Trump, and that this insulted Iran and China and damaged South Africa's standing.
IFP representative Inkosi Nsikayezwe Cebekhulu said only the West is unhappy with Iranian ships at the exercise. He said the West is trying to be accommodated.
Key facts
- Who
- Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); Bernard Ngoepe (retired judge who led the independent panel); Carl Niehaus (EFF MP); Chris Hattingh (DA MP)
- What
- Some parties in Parliament want the findings of the independent panel, led by retired judge Bernard Ngoepe, made public. The President's office says the report will not be released due to national security concerns, and Ramaphosa says he is processing it and considering its recommendations.
- When
- 30 October 2026
- Where
- Simons Town, Cape Town
- Status
- Reported