SA Defence Union calls for more investment in troops deployed in DRC
Twenty more soldiers were injured when they came under attack from M23 rebels on their base in Sake last week.
People gather next to some vehicles from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission as they flee the Masisi territory following clashes between M23 rebels and government forces, at a road near Sake on 7 February 2024. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - South African Defence Union's (SANDU) Tim Flack has called for more investment in the South African army following the killing of two soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Twenty more soldiers were injured when they came under attack from M23 rebels on their base in Sake last week.
They are part of the Southern Africa regional force deployed to the DRC in December.
Similar attacks were carried out in February and last month, where two soldiers and a SA military medical practitioner were killed, respectively.
Flack said that South African soldiers were vulnerable to these types of attacks due to a lack of support and inadequate resources.
"From the union’s point of view, it is blatantly clear that certain elements of support are severely lacking. Things like air support capabilities, support medically, logistically, and combat support. Losing troops in combat is always bad, you do expect it. However, losing troops due to inadequate resources is unacceptable."