SANDF member Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi being laid to rest

Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi’s coffin is covered in the South African flag during his funeral service in Thaba Nchu in the Free State.

1 minute

The funeral service for 53-year-old Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi is underway at Thaba Nchu in the Free State.

Molahlehi is one of the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who perished in the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo.

The soldiers were caught in the crossfire between DRC army forces and M23 rebels, three weeks ago.

During the memorial service earlier this, week his family said that the arrival of the remains of their loved one had brought some relief and closure as they can now finally be able to lay him to rest.

Family members, members of the SANDF and others are singing in the hall where the funeral service is taking place.

The funeral service for 53-year-old Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi is underway at Thaba Nchu in the Free State. Molahlehi is one of the 14 SANDF soldiers who perished in the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo.
📸: Kamogelo Seekoei pic.twitter.com/LjwXLsrCWI

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 23, 2025