Cape Town — Experts and analysts have said that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was under-resourced when it sent its troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo resulting in the death of nine soldiers.
In a statement, the SANDF lamented the death of nine members who were stationed in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC as well as the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC.
“While the committee acknowledges the gallant resistance by our forces, the loss of nine members of the SANDF is serious and requires investigation to prevent recurrence. Some of the issues that must be looked into include the combat preparedness, defence intelligence capabilities and specifically the availability of combat support equipment including air support and ammunition” said Mr Malusi Gigaba, the Co-Chairperson of the committee.
Co-chairperson of the committee, Phiroane Phala, said the SANDF intended to schedule a meeting to get a full briefing of the incident as well as the overall status of the deployment.
Parliament of the Republic of South Africa || Media Statement: Joint Standing Committee on Defence Saddened by Loss of Nine Soldiers in DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].https://t.co/KoQJmAwnib#SANDF#RIPSASoldiers pic.twitter.com/ANvw5qo4Az
— SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) January 27, 2025
According to The Citizen, the death of the nine soldiers is the biggest loss the SANDF suffered since the Battle of Bangui in 2013 when the 15 soldiers lost their lives.
According to Pikke Greeff, the national secretary of the South African Defence Union (SANDU), the government has not learnt anything from the Bangui incident.
“Defence analysts and experts identified problems, such as the lack of proper equipment and support, even after troops requested it in advance,” said Greef.
“Extensive research has been done on these issues. Two years later, we’ve made the same mistake. We’ve sent our troops on a foreign mission without adequate resources, and once again, we’re seeing heavy casualties,” he added.
According to Newzroom Afrika, SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini, said the soldiers in the DRC remain supported by other states to ensure they are safe, however, he admitted the troops are under-resourced.
“As the situation pans out, we remain steadfast that our troops will be supported in Goma, whatever the situation is. Together with the other compatriots from Tanzania and Malawi, working together we will put our resources to ensure our troops remain and are safe,” Dlamini said.
He said it was not a lie that the troops were under-resourced.
WATCH BELOW:
The SANDF says the soldiers deployed to the DRC will remain and be supported together with other states, and they will make sure they are safe. But spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini admits the troops are under-resourced.
Watch: https://t.co/T3DvdpcVdx#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/wpAC8mvVXO
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 27, 2025
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
