Calls have been made for the SANDF to withdraw its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and President Cyril Ramaphosa to take accountability for the deaths of 14 soldiers deployed to that country.

Political parties shared their views during the National Assembly’s urgent debate on the matter yesterday.

The fallen members of the SANDF were part of a multinational Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to stabilise the eastern region of the DRC amid ongoing clashes between the DRC military and M23 rebels.

The debate was held under the theme: “The recent casualties incurred by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their implications for the defence force.”

EFF leader Julius Malema said the deployment of South African troops under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) which began in December 2023, was presented as a peacekeeping effort.

“However, the truth is that our soldiers are not there to maintain peace; they are engaged in direct combat, fighting against highly armed and strategically superior M23 rebels, who are supported by the reckless President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame,” said Malema.

“The reality is that our soldiers are facing an enemy that has better weaponry, better resources and better intelligence.”

Malema added that the SANDF contingent in the DRC lacked resources.

“The government has neglected its duty to ensure that our soldiers are adequately prepared and equipped for combat. This is despite the fact that this deployment has cost our government R2.3 billion since it began.”

The National Assembly held debate under the theme: “The recent casualties incurred by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their implications for the defence force.” | X

Chris Hattingh, DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, paid tribute to the soldiers who died.

“We stand with our soldiers, the wounded, those who will carry lifelong scars, and those still in the fight.

“But let’s be clear: they did not die in the defence of the defenceless – as the president claimed. They were not part of a well-planned peacekeeping mission. They were thrown into battle ill-equipped, underfunded and without critical support in one of the world’s longest running and most brutal conflicts. They fought alongside the DRC armed forces against the M23 rebels, yet their own government sent them into war unprepared.”

He said the president and the minister must be held accountable for failing to prioritise the safety and effectiveness of South African troops.

“We need to withdraw from the DRC immediately. And Minister Angie Motshekga must go – voluntarily or otherwise.”

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip also called for the SANDF to withdraw its troops from the DRC.

“Our ill-equipped, under-resourced, demoralised, and outgunned soldiers were sent to fight in a war in which we have no ‘apparent’ demonstrable interest, and they were set up to fail and die.”

He also called for Motshekga to resign.

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie said: “We have been humiliated, and we must teach people – when you kill a South African, there are consequences.”

He said South Africa has the highest youth unemployment in the world. This should be an opportunity to call for conscription, recruit young people and train them.

“And while we train them, let us go and teach M23 a lesson. Let us go and kill those that killed our soldiers,” McKenzie said.

IFP MP Inkosi Russel Cebekhulu warned against an abrupt and unco-ordinated withdrawal of peacekeepers in the absence of a commitment from all states and parties, to ensure that lasting peace will be guaranteed.

“South Africa cannot afford another wave and influx of refugees and asylum seekers, which would be the case if we summarily withdraw troops at a time of uncertainty, instability and rise in hostilities,” Cebekhulu said.

He said the IFP would not prematurely call for an additional budgetary allocation to the department until a thorough assessment has been done. He said he believed it is time for a constructive plan.

On the repatriation of the remains of the 14 soldiers, Motshekga said the bodies were still in Uganda, undergoing standard pathology procedures. It was hoped they would be home by yesterday but the latest is now Thursday, she said.

Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, said an abrupt withdrawal of South African troops from the region would be worse than a surrender.

“I also want to point out that these missions, notwithstanding their challenges at the time, have made Africa a better place,” Lamola said.

THE MERCURY