(The Post News)- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that the remains of 14 soldiers who lost their lives in combat in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be repatriated to South Africa this week. The soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in eastern DRC, where they were deployed to maintain peace and stability in the region.
According to SANDF Spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini, the bodies of the fallen soldiers arrived in Entebbe, Uganda, where they will undergo standard pathology procedures. “The mortal remains of the South African National Defence Force soldiers arrived in Entebbe, Uganda. The standard pathology procedure will commence today. It is anticipated that all necessary procedures will be completed by no later than Tuesday, 11 February 2025,” Dlamini said.
The SANDF has been working closely with the United Nations to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of the soldiers’ remains. The process has been delayed due to administrative procedures, but the SANDF has assured that all necessary steps are being taken to bring the soldiers home.
The fallen soldiers were part of the SADC mission in the DRC, which aims to maintain peace and stability in the region. The mission has been ongoing since 2019, and South African soldiers have been deployed in the eastern DRC to support the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The death of the 14 soldiers has been met with an outpouring of grief and support from the South African public. President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the soldiers as heroes, saying that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. “We want our soldiers to come back. We want peace to prevail in that area in the part of our continent, so that the people of DRC can live in peace. And all of us can be in our own countries advancing development of our own people,” Ramaphosa said.
The repatriation of the soldiers’ remains is a significant step towards bringing closure to their families and the nation. The SANDF has assured that all necessary procedures will be followed to ensure the dignified return of the soldiers’ remains.
As the nation awaits the return of the fallen heroes, it is clear that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. The SANDF and the South African government have pledged to support the families of the fallen soldiers and to ensure that their memory lives on.
In the words of SANDF Spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini, “The mortal remains of o
the fallen heroes will be returned to South Africa, where they will be laid to rest with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
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