Families of SANDF soldiers in the DRC anxious as conflict escalates

FAMILIES of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers stationed in the war torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are worried, following the death of 13 South African soldiers.

The fighting was the result of an escalation by the rebel group, M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) engaging the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and attacking peacekeepers from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

One father from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has expressed his fears, revealing the dread that gripped him upon hearing news of the fatalities.

Requesting anonymity, he said when he heard of the deaths of soldiers he was sick with worry about his son, but felt much at ease and relieved when he later heard from him.

He lamented the absence of necessary air support for his son and his battalion.

“My son and his friends have expressed the same concern that they have not received air support. They have received supplies of food and armour from the base in Sake.

They are not just fighting the rebels but also the Rwandan troops who are with the M23 and they have fire power. Our artillery is there but air support is most needed. My frustration is why is it so difficult for our government to send the Gripen and Rooivalk instead of them (the soldiers) being sitting ducks there. If we don't deal precisely with this Rwandan issue we are running a risk," he said.

He added that his son was not asking to come back, all he wants is air support.

"I hope the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) has a change of heart. Our defence minister knows nothing about defence so what decision is she capable of making?"

The father questioned whether Ramaphosa was so weak that he couldn't call an airstrike.

"What pains me the most is that Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga was briefed on the situation there and they did nothing. My son said he will not leave his brothers and sisters to die there. He's willing to fight with them to death. Our political leadership is failing them.

"If our commander in chief does nothing about this situation and if we don't retaliate and show support for our boys, the ANC can kiss my vote goodbye," he said.

The family of another KwaZulu-Natal soldier said they were very concerned for his well-being and that of his fellow comrades.

"We are praying for their safe return. We have no new update about the current conditions up there. I think in these trying times and the situation in the DRC any parent would love to have their loved ones sent back home," said the family of the 27-year-old soldier.

Caroline Kordom, the aunt of a soldier from the Western Cape, said she would just like to see her nephew back home.

"It is very concerning. There were a few days when we had no direct contact with my nephew which was extremely worrying. On Thursday night we got a voice note from him. He said everywhere they move the rebels move with them. I don't feel relaxed with what the president and defence minister have been saying," said Kordom.

This week, Ramaphosa provided assurances that the nation would rally behind our soldiers, emphasising that the SANDF's mission in the DRC was part of broader peace efforts under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations.

He stated, “Our military presence is not a declaration of war. We are committed to bringing peace and protecting lives in the DRC.”

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, granted the Democratic Alliance's request for a debate of national importance on the unfolding crisis involving the SANDF in eastern DRC.

"The past week has been nothing short of unprecedented in our democracy. Our troops have been sent to the firing line of rebel groups, in what is no longer a peacekeeping mission - but full armed conflict," said Chris Hattingh, the DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans.

The DA will demand answers on why the troops remain in armed conflict in eastern DRC, what advice their deployment was based on, why troops were deployed without the required support including air support and did South Africans learn of this calamity on social media, long before any word from Motshekga, or Ramaphosa.

EFF leader Julius Malema called for the withdrawal of members of the SANDF deployed in the DRC to prevent more casualties.

Malema said: “Our soldiers must withdraw from the DRC not only because they have not been given the necessary equipment to pursue the so-called peace they are there for but because the motivation to send our forces to the DRC is dishonest.”

The Public Servants Association (PSA) said Motshekga had visited the DRC to assess the operational conditions and welfare of SANDF personnel deployed in the region but flew back in a military jet, leaving the deceased and wounded soldiers in Goma.

"The South African casualties come after repeated concerns by civil organisations, unions, and political organisations about the preparedness of the SANDF after years of throttled budgets, which resulted in cutbacks in training, failure to modernise equipment, reduced serviceability of equipment, including main battle equipment, and the withdrawal of air support. The SANDF experienced budget cuts of some R9 billion over the last five years.

"The PSA calls upon the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to assess all missions where soldiers are deployed to ensure the adequacy of the resources and their safety. Soldiers cannot be deployed without a proper analysis of the ability to respond equally to the demands of that mission. Where necessary, soldiers must be withdrawn as South Africa cannot afford to be everyone’s hero to the detriment of the country," said the PSA in a statement.

Motshekga dismissed claims that the SANDF troops in the DRC have run out of ammunition and food, amid the ongoing conflict.