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Procession for the fallen soldiers
About 159 bearers, three chaplains and three sergeant majors from all four SANDF armoured services participated in a guard of honour as the remains of their colleagues who died in the Eastern DRC, draped in South African flags were handed over to their families at the Air Force base Swartkop outside Pretoria.
[HAPPENING NOW] The remains of the 14 SANDF soldiers who died in the DRC last month are currently being handed over to their families. pic.twitter.com/74nXyWuujS
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 13, 2025
The bearers were from the SANDF army, navy services, South African Airforce and Military Services.
IN PICTURES | Distraught family members of the 14 SANDF troops, who died in the DRC arriving at the Swartkops Air Force Base in Centurion. Pictures by Bongisipho Magcaba #SANDFtroops pic.twitter.com/LuV2HgSDbf
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 13, 2025
The 14 soldiers were killed during a battle between the M23 rebels and the DRC military two weeks ago.
SANDF’s Major Kelebogile Hlakanye explains, “We have divided the groups into three because we have 14 mortal remains. So, we the first and second will be in five and the last batch is going to be in four. So, the first two fives is going to be SA Army and they are going to be providing 16 bearers. And then the SA Airforce, SA Navy and Military Service are going to provide only eight. For those two fives. So, all will be represented.”
