By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@SANDF.
The remains of the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who were killed in fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) late last month have finally returned home and have been handed over to their families this evening.
The troops lost their lives at the hands of the M23 as fighting in the Goma region of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) North Kivu province escalated, leading to the capture of Sake and Goma.
The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January during the M23’s advance.
The soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country, and the United Nations mission (Monusco), which has a peace enforcement mandate in the DRC.
The UN handled the repatriation, with the bodies sent by road to Entebbe, Uganda, with delays in the movement of the deceased out of the DRC. Following autopsies and other procedures, the remains were flown to South Africa on Wednesday evening aboard a Tanzanian Air Force Y-8 transport aircraft. The remains of four Malawian and Tanzanian soldiers also killed during the advance on Goma were repatriated as well.
A handing over ceremony of the remains of the 14 was held at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (formerly Air Force Base Swartkop) in Centurion, followed by a memorial service.
The fallen heroes to be laid to rest this weekend are:
1. Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
2. Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
3. Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
4. Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
5. Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
6. Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
7. Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
8. Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
9. Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
10. Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
11. Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
12. Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
13. Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
14. Private Peter Jacobus Strydom
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government takes seriously the concerns over the continued deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts, calling them essential for regional stability.
“It is a debate that is welcome and necessary because South Africa’s role in peacekeeping missions is fundamental to the pursuit of peace, stability and development in our own country, in the region and across the continent.
The decision to deploy our armed forces is not taken lightly, particularly when that deployment may put our Defence Force members in harm’s way.
“While South Africa has contributed to the SADC mission in the DRC, we have always maintained that an inclusive negotiated resolution is required to achieve lasting peace in the region.
“We therefore welcome the outcome of the joint summit of SADC and the East African Community in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania over the weekend, which agreed that direct negotiations and dialogue resume between all state and non-state parties, including the M23,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa added the outcomes from the joint summit are in confidence-building measures towards a sustainable peace, which will finally lead to the drawdown of the SADC troops.
“As South Africa, we will do whatever is within our means to support the peace effort so that this conflict will finally end and the people of the region will finally know peace,” he said.
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Video Courtesy of GCIS.