Rebels Control Troops Exit

Precarious: Defence Force Denies Soldiers Are Hungry, Disarmed or Even Hostages

- Masoka Dube

South African soldiers are "trapped" in their bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while M23 rebels are outside monitoring their movement.

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini denied that SA troops were starving, disarmed and being held hostage. This was in reaction to weekend reports that the soldiers were being held hostage by rebels at their base.

"I want to repeat what I have been saying all along that our troops have not been disarmed whatsoever. No one has gained entry into our bases and taken control," Dlamini said.

"Our soldiers have all that belongs to them. Telephone communications are difficult in any situation of this nature, but we can reach our members. I have been in contact with some of our members as late as this morning.

"The entire place would have network challenges, like any other in a situation where there is fighting, but we are communicating," Dlamini said yesterday.

SANDF Union secretary Pikkie Greeff yesterday said: "The soldiers were in the base last time I had a report. They are not unarmed.

"There are no hostilities ongoing. The M23 controls movement around the base but not the base itself."

Greeff said he received his last report on Friday.