Central SA
More injured SA soldiers to return from DRC amid growing concerns for deployed troops─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 15:39 Tue, 25 Feb 2025
More SANDF members injured during a fierce battle with M23 rebels in the DRC, including those from Central South Africa, are expected to arrive in South Africa on Wednesday (26/2).
Three critically injured soldiers are receiving medical treatment in Pretoria after they were successfully repatriated on Tuesday morning, said SANDF head of communications Siphiwe Dlamini.
More than 180 SA soldiers deployed under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission have reportedly been injured in the ongoing conflict with M23 rebels in the eastern DRC.
Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga previously said plans are underway to bring injured troops home, pledging the government’s support for the families of the 14 soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict.
Dlamini reassured the public that the SANDF, in collaboration with other key stakeholders, had worked tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the injured members.
“We urge the public to respect and afford privacy to the injured members and their families during the healing process. The SANDF remains committed to the welfare of our soldiers,” Dlamini said.
SADC Director of Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Affairs Prof. Kula Theletsane said in a Newsroom Afrika interview that no military units in the region, including the SANDF, can transport such a large number of wounded soldiers.
SANDF troops deployed in DRC for peacekeeping mission. Photo: Screenshot
“The plane was sourced through our normal procurement system, but I cannot comment on (it). I have tried to source a plane through various military establishments within the region, but they do not have the capability.
“This is a SADC mission, so the SANDF is not solely responsible for ferrying the wounded soldiers. The responsibility for such logistics falls to SADC as a whole.”
He added that sourcing planes for the over 180 injured soldiers was a considerable challenge. One key obstacle was that the Goma airport – a crucial hub for transporting personnel – was under rebel control.
Theletsane said this makes the airport’s reopening challenging. To ensure safe access, political negotiations with the M23 would be required, and aviation experts would need to evaluate the security situation and assess whether the runway is still fit to handle aircraft.
