Ramaphosa orders flags at half-mast to honour fallen SA soldiers in DRC

SANDF

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast for a week to honour South African Defence Force members who lost their lives in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, the first under the Government of National Unity, Ramaphosa read out the names of the fallen soldiers.

“We gather here as we mourn the death and tragic death, and devastating loss of 14 South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We pay tribute and bow our heads to William Eddie Cola, Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi, Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe, Matome Justice Malesa,  Rinae Nemavhulani, Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo, Tseke Moffat Molapo, Metse Stansly Raswiswi, Sebatane Richard Chokoe, Derrick Maluleke, Tshidiso Andries Mabele, Calvin Louis Moagi, Mokete Joseph Mobe, Pieter Jacobus Strydom,” Ramaphosa said.

He added: “Speaker, thank you for getting us to honour these fallen heroes. I have directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in honour of these fallen heroes for a week, starting from tomorrow (Friday) morning.”

Ramaphosa emphasised that the soldiers did not die for resources or power but in defence of peace and security for the Congolese people and to silence the guns on the African continent.

“Alongside soldiers from other Southern African countries, they lost their lives in defence of the fundamental right of the Congolese people, to live in peace and security. They lost their lives not in the pursuit of resources, or territory, or power. They lost their lives so that the guns on our continent may be forever silenced. So we salute them.”

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