SANDF top brass welcome home second group of soldiers from DRC deployment

PRETORIA - Scenes of jubilation played out at the Waterkloof air force base in Pretoria on Sunday evening as SANDF troops touched down on home soil for the first time since their 2023 deployment in the war-torn eastern DRC.

This is the second group to return home in as many days.

They were part of a peacekeeping mission commissioned by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2023.

Earlier this year, a decision was taken to withdraw all SAMIDRC troops after a ceasefire was brokered between the Congolese government and M23 rebels.

Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, was among officials at the national key point welcoming the troops back.

SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said that the soldiers would now make their way to Bloemfontein for a demobilisation process.

"This is a military command counsel, this is the leadership of the SANDF illustrating their commitment to supporting soldiers. In fact, I had one solider tell me he is looking forward a warm South African meal, so that’s the true spirit we are seeing today."