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SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya and other army top brass at the handing over of the bodies of 14 soldiers who were killed in the DRC, to their families in Pretoria.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya says that the deployment of the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is for the advancement of peace not to protect personal interests.
He was addressing hundreds of mourners at the funeral service of rifleman Derrick Maluleke at Nhlaniki village outside Giyani in Limpopo.
Maluleke is one of the 14 South African soldiers killed in the eastern DRC.
General Maphwanya says he is proud of the work being done by the SANDF members in their deployment.
“I stand before you with a mixture of pain and pride as I pay tribute to this humble giant of our country, rifleman Derrick Maluleke. We are in DRC not for personal gains, to advance our national interest, so rifleman Maluleke was there in the DRC to foster this and guarantee that we all enjoy a better life and economic prosperity.”
SANDF Fallen Soldiers | Final salute for Rifleman Derrick Maluleke: Rudzani Maphwanya
A friend of Maluleke and fellow SANDF member, Private Vutivi Baloyi, says government must not withdraw the soldiers who are still in the DRC in honour of the deceased.
“Unfortunately, life happened, unlike those who are calling that maybe the soldiers should be withdrawn from DRC. I say we can’t do that, not now. It is something that maybe we can be withdrawn. We need to do this in honour of our fallen heroes. With this few words, Derrick where you are, we will fight for you.”
