SANDU confirms wounded SANDF soldiers en route to SA

JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has confirmed that a delegation of troops, including wounded ones are en route back to the country.

The soldiers who form part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  left Nairobi on a plane on Monday afternoon.

Last month, 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops were killed amid clashes in Goma. Their bodies were later repatriated and many of the fallen soldiers were laid to rest over the weekend.

SANDU national secretary, Pikkie Greeff has confirmed that more than 100 soldiers are on their way returning home.

READ: Over 7,000 people killed in eastern DR Congo since January: PM

"It is indeed happening, the people bordered the busses, passing over from Goma to Rwanda, and there’s a plane that as we speak, has probably already left Nairobi."

He said some of those returning home have been seriously injured in clashes with M23 rebels in the eastern DRC.

"Three serious members who need urgent medical intervention and there are others that require aftercare. Two members have been identified as having fallen pregnant, and others are returning for other reasons other than medical, some have had their passports lapse," said Greeff.

The SANDF said it will be issuing an official statement on the mission and the soldiers' return.