Motshekga can expect grilling in Parly over SANDF deployment in DRC

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga can expect a grilling before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Friday for her characterisation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as having been a success.

Fourteen people died during the deployment, making it the country’s second most deadly continental mission since the Central African Republic in 2013.

DA member of Parliament (MP) Nicholas Gotsell said following Sunday’s media briefing on the withdrawal of troops, many questions remain unanswered.

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On Sunday, Motshekga and SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya announced the phased return of soldiers following a decision by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in March to end its multi-national deployment in the troubled eastern region of the DRC.

But Gotsell said the deaths of 14 troops and a further 170 injured in battle cannot be considered an operational success, with troops inadequately equipped for the mission.

“This is a delusional attempt to mask what was by every measurable standard a catastrophic failure of the ANC’s [African National Congress] regional ambitions – both strategically and morally.”

Gotsell said the minister must explain the reported financial discrepancies in the money the government received from SADC for the deployment, versus the money soldiers are said to have received.

Since the deployment of the 2,900 troops in December 2023, the government has spent more than R2 billion on the mission.