Cape Town – Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa plans to request more funding from President Cyril Ramaphosa for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peacekeeping missions, following heavy casualties in clashes with M23 rebels.
Two SANDF soldiers were killed last month in a mortar attack in Sake, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which also injured twenty others.
The SANDF is part of the SADC Mission in the DRC, deployed to help restore peace amid rising conflicts since December 2023.
EWN quoted Sunday Times as saying that Holomisa will also seek changes to peacekeeping rules and regulations, arguing that current limitations on weapons and equipment hinder soldiers’ ability to defend themselves.
The South African National Defence Union supports this call, highlighting the need for better air support, medical, logistical, and combat resources to protect troops, the report said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
