Defence Dept extends condolences to families of 9 SANDF members killed in DRC

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Defence has extended its condolences to the families of nine members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  

The soldiers, deployed on peacekeeping missions, lost their lives after two days of fierce fighting with the M23 rebel group in the DRC.  

Seven members of the SANDF were part of the contingent deployed in December 2023 as part of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission.  

The department said the M23 forces had launched a full-scale attack on the troops this week with the intention of taking over Goma, but the soldiers were able to halt their advancement.  

SANDF spokesperson Simphiwe Dlamini said: "The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, the deputy ministers of Defence and Military Veterans, Major-General retired Bantu Holomisa and Mr Richard Hlophe, together with the acting secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede, and the chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, send their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire defence family."