The government has denied claims that South African National Defense Force (SANDF) soldiers deployed in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) lack basic weapons, ammunition, and supplies.
Several ministers briefed the media on the sidelines of the cabinet Lekgotla on Wednesday in Pretoria and pushed back against the narrative of a weak national defence force.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga who was leading the briefing said she was in Goma around the time of the escalation and had the assurance of senior officers that there was enough military gear and supplies.
“As I say I was in Goma and went to the airport which is our base, where our strategic power in terms of weapons, ammunition and supplies are located. I spoke to the generals to get what’s happening and not once did they indicate to me that they were running out of ammunition or supplies. We decided to top up on the basis that we had been told that on the first day fighting went on for an entire night so we said perhaps the supplies may not be enough as a result of increased escalation,” said Motshekga.
Motshekga also dismissed claims that South African soldiers had surrendered to M23 saying the video that has gone viral depicting an officer seemingly hoisting a white flag was part of a negotiated pause in fighting to allow the rebel movement to retrieve the remains of fighters who died in battle.
“That is what happened. The flag was meant to allow free passage for M23 to retrieve the bodies, I’m told is a war convention. M23 asked for that and we also needed free passage to transport some of the supplies,” said the minister.
While Motshekga did not comment on the state of finances in the defence force, her deputy General Bantu Holomisa said SANDF had been defunded over a period of more than 15 years with the government prioritising social security ahead of anything else.
Motshekga said there was fresh fighting in Goma where the DRC army, initially thought to have surrendered is pushing back against M23 which was on the verge of capturing the provincial capital.
Motshekga said the government is in regular contact with the South African soldiers who are on the ground to find the best solutions.
The government is putting a lot of effort has been put into convincing all the actors to the negotiating table.
“Our approach is that all the actors need to agree to come to the negotiating table. Only a political solution will end the war, this is not a war that can be won through guns,” said international relations minister Ronald Lamola.
Lamola said President Cyril Ramaphosa was in regular contact with his counterparts in both DRC and Rwanda.