The SANDF has has named the 14 soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid escalating violence from rebel forces. File picture
THE SOUTH African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that the timeline for the repatriation of 14 South African soldiers who lost their lives in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), remains unclear.
At the weekend, the SANDF released the names of the deceased soldiers, who were killed last week while serving in the conflict-ridden region. The fallen troops, hailing from various provinces including the Northern Cape and Free State, were honoured in a solemn tribute as the nation awaits their return.
On Friday, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced that it would dispatch a team to North Kivu, DRC, to facilitate the repatriation process. This effort extends to deceased and injured members of the South African, Malawian, and Tanzanian forces deployed in the region.
South African troops have been stationed in the eastern DRC since December 2023 as part of a peacekeeping mission under both the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO). The soldiers were engaged in intense combat with M23 rebels when they lost their lives.
The soldiers were honoured on Saturday when their names were released by the SANDF. The deceased include: Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola, Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi, Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe, Corporal Matome Justice Malesa, Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani, Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo, Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo, Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi, Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe, Rifleman Derrick Maluleke, Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele, Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi, Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe and Private Peter Jacobus Strydom.
HONOURED FOR THEIR BRAVERY
SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, acknowledging their bravery in the face of danger.
“These brave men and women were on a mission to restore stability and protect lives in the eastern DRC. They displayed extraordinary courage in their confrontation with the M23 rebels who had attacked their base. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga sends condolences to the families of the deceased and their entire defence family,” he said.
At the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa led the South African delegation at the SADC Extraordinary Summit in Harare. Regional leaders at the summit called for the urgent repatriation of fallen troops, as well as immediate measures to safeguard peacekeeping forces operating in the region.
According to the SABC, the regional body also demanded the immediate repatriation of the deceased troops and those who have been injured.
The operation has come under heavy criticism from security experts and opposition political parties, facing mounting challenges and increasing calls for Motshekga to resign.
Security commentator Professor Hussein Solomon from the Free State University argued that the troops were set up for failure due to severe resource shortages.
“Our troops did not have enough food and the state of the camp was bad. There was no logistical backing and there was insufficient supply. They were not prepared for the kind of mission they were up against. I do believe that President Cyril Ramaphosa, as commander in chief, and the minister of defence have a lot to answer for,” he said.
The SANDF has yet to confirm a specific date for the return of the soldiers' remains, but efforts to facilitate their repatriation are ongoing.