Minister Angie Motshekga visited Goma in the DRC prior to an attack on the SANDF army base that claimed the lives of SA soldiers. To date, 14 soldiers have been killed.
Image: SANDF
The mortal remains of 14 South African soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are expected to be repatriated on Wednesday.
This is according to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major-General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Maphwanya and Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Tuesday where they had to answer for why the country's troops were in the DRC.
The committee did not hold back on its criticism, calling for heads to roll, if leaders were incapable of leading military or political missions.
Major-General Rudzani Maphwanya during recent visit to the DRC
Image: SANDF
Motshekga confirmed that the SANDF is part of 16 forces involved in a peacekeeping mission.
She further defended the soldiers' preparedness for the mission, explaining why certain army weapons like the attack helicopter, the Rooivalk, were not used
"We are not going to war," she said.
Maphwanya added that the soldiers were resourced and properly trained to protect those in the battlefield.
Unhappy with Maphwanya and Motshekga's answers, the committee suggested that a further inquiry may be needed.
The committees also called for support to the bereaved families of the deceased soldiers. Also of importance, is the need for certainty on members injured in the conflict to ensure that they receive adequate medical care.
"It is important for the morale of the SANDF members and the country in general that the SANDF provides clarity on the wellbeing of its soldiers in the DRC," said co-chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Phiroane Phala.
The soldiers; Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola, Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi, Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe Corporal Matome Justice Malesa, Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani, Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo, Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo, Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi, Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe, Rifleman Derrick Maluleke, Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele, Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi, Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe and Private Peter Jacobus Strydom died earlier this month.
According to the SANDF, they were deployed to the region as part of both the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo(SAMIDRC) and The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group has declared a ceasefire in the region after weeks of fierce fighting that left more than 700 dead.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL
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