SANDF expects better coordination for second group of soldiers returning home from DRC

JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it expects the return home of another group of troops from a peacekeeping mission in the Eastern DRC to be better coordinated following chaos and confusion this week.

Flight arrangements for the first group saw a delayed return for the troops on Friday, who touched down in South Africa for the first time since their deployment in war-torn Goma.

ALSO READ:

• Over 2,000 SANDF soldiers still deployed in DRC expected back home by end of June

• SANDF says troops returning from DRC to undergo demobilisation process
• Officials confident all SANDF troops deployed to DRC will be back home by end of June

The second group is expected to land at the Waterkloof airbase on Sunday.
 
There is much anticipation for the arrival of the 250 SANDF members who first left in 2023 for a regional peacekeeping mission.

They will be met by the chief of SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya and his staff. 

From the Waterkloof air force base, they will then be taken to Bloemfontein for health checks.

SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala: "Our members of the SANDF, they have proven themselves that they can operate in a very dynamic and challenging mission."

The third group is expected to arrive on Monday.