There are still more questions than answers about the safety of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the SANDF choosing to remain mum on the subject.
An intelligence source with knowledge of the matter told TimesLIVE Premium on Saturday the situation was “in flux”.
“Every high ranking officer is currently refusing to make eye contact with the politicians who sent them north. Some reinforcements have been sent to Lubumbashi. I hear it is more than 500 and fewer than 1,000, but the number has not been confirmed yet,” the intel source said.
“But there are also wounded soldiers still in the DRC. We need answers on what will happen to them? If you consider that it took massive negotiations and the involvement of the UN just to get our deceased back, what will have to happen to get live soldiers back?”
The SANDF refused to comment on any of the claims.
TimesLIVE Premium put several questions to SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini on Saturday, including:
- How many troops do we have there now?
- Will they be reinforced again?
- If so, with how many soldiers?
- Is there a plan to get air cover in the theatre of operations?
- If so, can you share any info with us?
- How many of our soldiers in the DRC are wounded or injured?
- Are we going to evacuate the wounded?
However, he did not respond.
Dlamini was also unwilling to comment on rumours in the intelligence world that M23 had given South Africa a deadline for full withdrawal from the DRC.
“We do not discuss operational matters at all. As far as your understanding of the M23 deadline for our withdrawal is concerned, we have no knowledge of that
— SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini
“We do not discuss operational matters at all. As far as your understanding of the M23 deadline for our withdrawal is concerned, we have no knowledge of that,” he said.
When asked what information he could share, he did not respond.
The remains of 14 South African soldiers killed in the DRC were handed over to their grieving families at Swartkops air force base in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Those killed were: Rfn Calvin Moagi, Rfn Sebatane Chokoe, Cpl Matome Malesa, L/Cpl Tseke Molapo, L/Cpl Metse Raswiswi, Rfn Derrick Maluleke, Rfn Mokete Mobe, S/Sgt Molahlehi Molahlehi, L/Bdr Itumeleng Moreo, Pvt Peter Strydom, S/Sgt William Cola, S/Sgt Shwahlane Seepe, Cpl Rinae Nemavhulani and Rfn Tshidiso Mabele.
It is understood that at least one of the funerals for the soldiers will take place on Sunday with Maluleke being laid to rest in Hlaneki Village in Giyani, Limpopo.
On Monday, international relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola made it clear when he addressed parliament on the deployment of South African troops to the DRC that an immediate withdrawal was not an option.
“Abrupt withdrawal as called for by some in the House is not even a tactical retreat, it is even worse than a surrender as with the number of armed groups in the area, there lies ambush,” he said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.