SANDF Soldiers from DRC Receive Treatment in Bloemfontain

(The Post News) – The first batch of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof, in Pretoria on 13 June.

The 249 soldiers were welcomed by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, following the conclusion of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).

“Seeing our soldiers in good spirits and genuinely excited to be home not only speaks volumes of their unwavering patriotism but also a powerful expression of their steadfast commitment to defend the territorial integrity of the Republic and support its people , a constitutional mandate every member of the South African National Defence Force lives and serves by, ”said Minister Motshekga.

Fourteen SANDF soldiers were killed in January after the M13 rebels captured the region’s biggest city, Goma.

SAMIDRC was deployed on 15 December 2023 to support the Government of the DRC to restore peace and security in the eastern DRC, following an increase in conflicts and instability caused by the rising of armed rebels groups.

As approved by SADC Summit of Heads of States on 08 May 2023, the SANDF joined focers with Congolese Army, the Forces Armees de la Republic Democratique due Congo (FARDC) alongside the United Republic of Tanzania, fighting armed groups that were operating in the Eastern DRC.

As part of the SAMIDRC, a SADC regional force from the Republics of Malawi, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania and elements of the DRC Armed Forces are working with the Congolese Army, the Forces Armees de la Republic Democratique du Congo (FARDC), in fighting armed groups operating in the Eastern DRC.

It is stated by SADC that the deployment of the SAMIDRC was in accordance with the principle of collective self-defence and collective action outlined in the Mutual Defence Pact (2003), which emphasises that; “Any armed attack perpetrated against one of the States Parties shall be considered a threat to regional peace and security and shall be met with immediate collective action”.

SANDF said they used over 30 trucks to transport SA Military equipment from Goma to Tanzania, adding that other heavy equipment were transported through the Dar es Salaam port to South Africa.