Defence Minister defends SANDF’s DRC deployment amid casualties

DEFENCE Minister Angie Motshekga still maintains that the deployment of the SANDF to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was a success despite the deaths of 14 soldiers and 174 injuries.

- MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA

Motshekga said the presence of the SADC Mission in the DRC in various areas of South Kivu from January 2024 provided safety, security, and stability for the people of the City of Goma and the surrounding areas.

“This was demonstrated by the communities coming back to their places of residence or homesteads as well as their livelihoods.

“The fights among various illegal armed groups, the M23 as well as the DRC Armed Forces were drastically reduced and with minimal displacement of communities in the far mountain areas,” she said.

Motshekga was responding to IFP MP Russel Cebekhulu, who noted the controversy surrounding the SAMIDRC (SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) and loss of life and conflicting accounts of its success.

He wanted to know what Motshekga based her claim of success on, despite the rebels still in control of key areas such as Goma and Sake, while the peace efforts were elusive.