The Citizen reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that another soldier has died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He died from his wounds in hospital on Saturday.
This brings to 14 the number of SANDF soldiers that have been killed in the DRC in the battle with M23 rebels. On Saturday, the SANDF released the names of the soldiers who had died in the DRC (full list in news article). Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held crisis talks in Zimbabwe on Friday about the escalating violence in the DRC. Following the summit in Harare, the SADC resolved to dispatch a team to North Kivu in the DRC to facilitate the repatriation of deceased and injured SANDF members, as well as those from Malawian and Tanzanian forces. Earlier last week, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola met with his DRC counterpart to address the escalating hostilities between the DRC and Rwanda, which have also caused a diplomatic spat. While Lamola warned that escalating hostilities between the DRC and Rwanda could spiral into a full-scale regional war, he said the SA government was pushing for a ceasefire agreement. The deaths of the SA soldiers have led to criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government and increased pressure on him to pull the country’s troops out of the country.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen
- Read too, DRC conflict: SA death toll now at 14, SANDF releases names, at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page