More details emerge around deaths of 4 SANDF soldiers in Goma
More details have emerged surrounding the deaths of four South African soldiers in Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Armored vehicles belonging to the South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) contingent of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) drive towards deploy along the road leading to the entrance of the town of Sake, 25km north-west of Goma, on 23 January 2025. Picture: Michael Lunanga/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - More details have emerged surrounding the deaths of four South African soldiers in Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the SANDF, three soldiers died following an exchange of fire between the Congolese defence force and M23 rebels on Monday.
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Head of communication, Siphiwe Dlamini, said the SANDF members were killed when they were caught in the crossfire.
"This confrontation happened near Goma airport, which is very close to the border with Rwanda and our base is co-located with Goma airport. So as they were exchanging fire, mortar fire and unfortunately one of the mortars landed on our base where that's where we lost the three members."
Dlamini said the fourth soldier died at the level three hospital in Goma following confrontation with the rebels.
"The member that passed on succumbed to his wounds is the one that was injured during the confrontation which lasted over a period of two days when we were repelling the attack on our base outside Goma. The situation is such that the evacuation in that time would not have been possible, so he passed away in the DRC."