Ramaphosa sends his condolences to families of SANDF soldiers killed in DRC

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to dispel claims that South African troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not being well cared for.

Offering his condolences to the families of 13 fallen soldiers who have been part of a Southern African Development Community peace mission, Ramaphosa said they were being offered all the necessary support.

The process to repatriate the soldiers' remains has also started.

Fellow South Africans,

Following the recent intensification of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa has lost 13 brave soldiers who were dedicated to their mission and committed to peace. The fighting is the result of an escalation by the rebel…
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 29, 2025

Political parties have this week strongly criticised government for sending South African soldiers to their deaths in the DRC, given a resource-depleted army and reports of inadequate food and supplies reaching troops stationed around the eastern city of Goma.

President Ramaphosa said he was concerned about the speculation the deaths of the soldiers had sparked around the state of the country’s troops and their battle conditions.

He said that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, SANDF chief, Rudzani Maphwanya, and the mission’s force commander in the DRC, Monwabisi Dyakopu, were ensuring the forces were well-equipped and sufficiently supported.

ALSO READ:

• SANDF clarifies that white flag in DRC video 'not a flag of surrender'

• Following deaths of 13 SANDF soldiers in DRC, SCOPA eagerly awaiting defence minister's Feb appearance

• Four more SA soldiers die in DRC, confirms SANDF

• Nine South African peacekeepers killed in DR Congo: SANDF

Ramaphosa said South African soldiers had been nothing but heroic and gallant in efforts to bring peace on the continent and South Africans should rally behind them.

Ramaphosa pointed out that Malawi and Tanzania have also lost troops in the fighting between the M23 rebel group and the Rwanda defence force.

He said that South Africa's presence in the DRC was not a declaration of war against any country or state and that SA troops stationed there were part of SADC and UN peacekeeping missions.

Ramaphosa said government supported the position of the UN Security Council that all external forces should exit the country and allow peace talks to resume.