Some families of SANDF soldiers killed in DRC say they've had no word on repatriation efforts
On Thursday, the SANDF announced that there were delays that paused plans for the return of the fallen soldiers.
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 - Some family members of peacekeeping soldiers who died in combat in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo said they've heard no word on the repatriation of their loved ones.
This comes after SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya confirmed to Parliament's joint defence committee on Tuesday that the bodies of the soldiers would arrive in Pretoria on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the SANDF announced that there were delays that paused plans for the return of the fallen soldiers.
Matome Malesa's family said that they only found out about the return of their loved one on social media.
"We just heard the rumors from the news. But we as the family have not heard anything from the SANDF."