Generals didn't tell me they had nothing – Motshekga

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has dismissed allegations that South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are running out of supplies amid ongoing conflict.

- Molefe Seeletsa

Motshekga, accompanied by her deputy, Bantu Holomisa, and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, addressed the media yesterday, providing updates on developments in DRC.

This followed the deaths of 13 SANDF soldiers due to escalated clashes involving M23 rebels and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia against the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).

Three soldiers were killed on Monday in a mortar bomb attack by M23 near the airport in Goma, where the SANDF has established a military base.

Additionally, nine soldiers lost their lives in combat near Sake last week.

Motshekga described the situation in the DRC as "very volatile".

The minister was in Kinshasa, the DRC's capital, when the attacks occurred in Sake and later travelled to Goma to visit injured SANDF soldiers.