Minister of Defence, Thandi Modise, has expressed that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members currently deployed in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will continue to fight for peace in the country.
Despite criticism from South African opposition parties, who argue that the country is ill-equipped for such a mission, South Africa remains committed to contributing troops to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission.
The recent repatriation of the bodies of two South African soldiers, who were killed in a mortar strike in the DRC, serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in this peacekeeping effort.
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South African National Defence Force was part of a joint force, consisting of troops from Tanzania, Malawi, and South Africa, supporting the DRC government’s fight against M23 rebels.
During the handover ceremony of the fallen soldiers’ remains in Tshwane, Modise addressed reporters, acknowledging the ongoing conflict in the DRC.
She emphasized that these were not the first South African soldiers to lose their lives in the DRC, and that the military community shares the pain and grief of the families affected.
Modise’s remarks highlight the deep sense of camaraderie and familial bonds that develop within the armed forces. The loss of soldiers is felt by all, as they become part of a larger family upon joining the military.
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