Govt to investigate incidents that led to soldiers’ deaths in the DRC

Members of the SANDF bid farewell to Staff Sergeant, William Cola, in Louterwater who died in the DRC.

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The Deputy Minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, says the department will hold a debriefing where they will look at the incidents that led to the deaths of the 14 soldiers in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Holomisa was attending the funeral service of slain South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member Staff Sergeant, William Cola, in Louterwater in the Eastern Cape.

“We will be doing a debrief after the incident of the DRC and in doing the debrief we will look at whether there were mistakes on our side and whether those mistakes can be verified and if those mistakes need national treasury, obviously we will follow procedure,” says Holomisa.

Funeral Speech I delivered today in honour of our fallen soldiers in the DRC at Staff Sergeant WE Cola’s funeral at Louterwater Sportsfield in the Eastern Cape @SANDF_ZA pic.twitter.com/MD5ESNVRI3

— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) March 1, 2025

In memory of Staff Sergeant WE Cola. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/shK71VGrRO

— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) March 1, 2025

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, says they will work with municipalities to honour slain Staff Sergeant William Cola.

Mabuyane says Cola died a hero and should be recognised.

“ Because he is our son, he is our hero, we will definitely work with municipalities, the province to find something, especially, to use him as a role model and posthumously for the young kids that are growing up. I would love to see the SANDF come here and put more young people in the career.”