Nine South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been killed and several others injured in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, during clashes with M23 rebels who were trying to reach the city of Goma.
According to the SANDF, the South African contingent and its counterparts were able to halt the advancement of the rebel group towards Goma, which is a provincial capital of the DRC.
The SANDF said the rebels had launched a full-scale on its troops with the intention of taking over Goma but were unable to advance due to the heroic resistance put by the soldiers and were able to push back the rebels.
“In the course of the gallant resistance against M23 rebels, the SANDF lost nine members by Friday, after two days of fierce fighting.
Seven of these members were part of the South African contingent deployed in the eastern DRC as part of the 16-member regional bloc SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and two others were from MONUSCO.
The number of injured is still to be confirmed, however, a few suffered various degrees of injuries,” read a statement from the SANDF.
In addition, the SANDF said it is in the process of informing families of the deceased soldiers.
The attack comes as Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga is visiting the SANDF members in the DRC.
According to a statement released by her office prior to the visit, the trip forms part of the “Minister’s ongoing mission to prioritize the well-being and interests of South African soldiers in line with her ‘soldier first’ principle.
Motshekga, her deputies, and the SANDF top brass have sent a message of condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire defence family.
