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[FILE] Members of the SANDF take part in a training exercise in the bush.
Mpumalanga residents have expressed concerns about the safety of the remaining South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This is as the SANDF has confirmed that the mortal remains of the 14 soldiers killed in the eastern DRC have arrived in the country.
VIDEO| SANDF Admiral, Prince Tshabalala says the handing over of the remains of the soldiers will be done in a dignified way:
A call for withdrawal of SA troops in DRC
The residents are calling for the withdrawal of South African troops from their deployment in the DRC.
Some residents have offered their condolences, while others are questioning the presence of South African soldiers in that country.
“We would like to convey our condolences for the soldiers who have passed on although we really don’t know why they were there and their children have lost a parent and will suffer”, says one of the residents.
Another resident says, “We’ve got neighbours and friends who are soldiers and we don’t know where they are deployed. They haven’t returned home since this tragedy happened.”
“They died over there and they have been postponing the return of their bodies back home. We don’t know what their purpose in the DRC was, but we think they were there to protect the assets of the politicians.”
A celebrated hero
Meanwhile in the Free State, the community of Botshabelo is devastated by the death of SANDF soldier, Mokete Mothupi.
Botshabelo activist Ramajoko Mothupi has described Mothupi as a committed soldier who loved his community and family.
“I have mixed feelings about this. To lose someone is very painful, but you must also understand that we must also be proud that our township continues to produce men and women who are ready to work or ready to fight for peace because if we don’t have peace in the continent, no country will have peace. So, he died in the battle line where he was fighting for peace. “
VIDEO | A Botshabelo resident says although they are sad that Mothupi is among soldiers that died, they are however celebrating him as their hero:
