Cape Town – ANC national executive committee (NEC) member Naledi Pandor, who is also the Minister of International Relations, has reportedly endorsed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to deploy hundreds of South African troops to the volatile Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The deployment aims to aid in peace talks and stabilise the region amidst attacks by the M23 rebel group.
The move is part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) effort to address the humanitarian crisis in the DRC.
Despite criticism, Pandor said that South Africa’s involvement is crucial, given its status as the largest economy and military force in the region, EWN reported.
She emphasised that South Africa’s peace efforts extend beyond the continent’s borders.
“It would have been extremely wrong of President Ramaphosa, in a SADC meeting, to say to the other SADC members: ‘You can have a SADC mission to DRC but South Africa the largest economy, largest military force won’t be part of it’. It just couldn’t happen,” the report quoted Pandor as saying.
This comes a few days after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) refuted claims of soldiers surrendering to M23 rebels in the DRC, dismissing reports as baseless.
This response followed allegations made a report, written by a Washington DC correspondent regarding soldiers being held hostage.
“Several South African soldiers deployed by the ANC government in Democratic Republic of Congo as part of an ill-equipped and ill-prepared force reportedly surrendered to the M23 rebels this past week. The soldiers are now reportedly being held as hostages by M23,” Times Live quoted the report as saying.
But SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said that all deployed members have been accounted for, The Citizen reported.
“We want to state categorically that all SANDF members deployed in the DRC have been accounted for.
Being protective of Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African media did not cover this story at all.
removing the ANC from office by voting them out next month.#SANDF pic.twitter.com/CVgt4OLK14
— Marc Anderson (@PatriotMarc) April 2, 2024
“This is not the first time such unfounded and baseless news articles have been written about the SANDF since its deployment in the DRC under SAMIDRC.
“The SANDF views such attempts to discredit the defence force in the most serious light by faceless people, and will not standby and allow its good name to be tarnished.
“The SANDF as the authority for the deployed members shall at all times inform the South African public about the situation and safety of its members in the DRC,” the report quoted Dlamini as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
