THE South African National Defense Force (SANDF) has confirmed that two of its members died, while three others were injured in a mortar attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, 14 February.
SANDF head of Communications Siphiwe Dlamini said at around 1.30pm, a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African Contingent's military bases, inflicting causalities and injuries to the SANDF soldiers.
“The RSA Contingent is part of the SADC Mission in the DRC deployed to support and assist the government of the DRC to restore peace, security and stability in the region.
“As a result of this indirect fire, the SANDF suffered two fatalities, and three members sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the nearest hospital in Goma for medical attention,” he said.
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Dlamini said details of the incident are still sketchy, and investigations would be conducted to determine the basis of the incident.
The SANDF recently sent 2 900 members as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC.
The troops were sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa to participate in the combating of illegal armed groups in the eastern side of the DRC.
The Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, her deputy Thabang Makwetla and citing Secretary of the SANDF Thobekile Gameda, expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and wish the injured members a speedy recovery.
