SA blames SADC for the delayed return of 249 SANDF troops from Tanzania
The soldiers, who were meant to arrive in Bloemfontein at midday, are now only expected to arrive late on Friday evening, or possibly Saturday morning.
Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga, addressing the media at the Air Force Base Bloemspruit, in Bloemfontein on Friday, 13 June 2025. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is blaming the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for a logistical and contractual blunder resulting in a 10-hour delay in transporting 249 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops back home from Tanzania.
The soldiers, who were meant to arrive in Bloemfontein at midday, are now only expected to arrive late on Friday evening, or possibly Saturday morning.
The troops form part of the first batch of SANDF personnel to return home from the conflict-stricken eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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They have been fighting alongside a delegation of soldiers from Tanzania and Malawi in the country since December 2023.
What was meant to be a day of celebration, welcoming home heroes of war, has been met with frustration due to flight logistical issues.
Defence Minister Angie Motsheka says initially two planes were meant to transport the troops home, but due to a contractual issue, the SADC, which is in charge of the logistics, was forced to use one larger plane.
She says the issue now centres around the staircases that attach to the plane.
"The technicality, Tanzania says they can only resolve it in the next seven hours, which is the arrival of the staircases suitable for the aircraft."
The delegation of soldiers could re-route to Gauteng, depending on whether the staircases arrive in Bloemfontein in time for their disembarkment.