Defence Dept took over 48 hours to respond to casualties, situation in DRC - SANDU
The force issued a statement on Saturday confirming the death of nine South African soldiers who lost their lives after two days of fierce fighting with the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC.
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 - The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) said it took the Department of Defence more than 48 hours to respond to the casualties and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The force issued a statement on Saturday confirming the death of nine South African soldiers who lost their lives after two days of fierce fighting with the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC.
ALSO READ: Defence Dept extends condolences to families of 9 SANDF members killed in DRC
The union said it was unfortunate that the department had not communicated with it since the issuing of its statement confirming the casualties and injuries of soldiers.
SANDU’s national secretary, Pikkie Greeff, expressed frustration at the lack of transparency, stating that the sacrifice of soldiers demanded immediate acknowledgment from the country's leaders.
He said it was difficult to confirm how many of the soldiers deployed were actual members of the union, apart from the name list they had been provided with.
However, he said they could confirm that out of the 18 soldiers currently injured, 14 of them belonged to the union, and from the nine deceased, at least two were union members.
"We do, however, point out that we mourn the death and the injury of every soldier of the SANDF [South African National Defence Force]."
Seven members of the SANDF killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were part of the contingent deployed in December 2023.