SANDU paints grim picture of situation SA soldiers faced in Goma

JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has painted a grim picture of the situation South African soldiers are faced with in Goma, in the eastern DRC.

While operations to bring back fallen and wounded soldiers were completed in South Africa, the troops left behind are reportedly in dire conditions and are forced to rely on UN agencies and rebel groups for assistance.

The South African government has faced backlash over its decision not to recall the service men and women following the deaths of about 14 soldiers and reports that the fighters were running out of supplies.

READ: SANDF successfully repatriates injured soldiers from DRC

While some officials had denied this, it seems the conditions remain the same for those in the conflict-ridden region as SANDU National Secretary, advocate Pikkie Greeff explains.

"We are completely dependent on the UN and also the rebels for any supply of water and rations and even transport if we do manage to negotiate a passage out."

Greeff added that the soldiers are at the mercy of the rebels who use their advantage when requested for aid.

"When one negotiates for a delivery of water and rations, let's say they agree for eight o'clock the next day, you'll often find that they then postpone that on their own terms for a day or two later. So there might be two or three days, even four days that one goes with a promise of food and water, but you actually have none."