17.06.2025
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Sangweni dismisses concerns over missing weapons from DRC mission

4 mins



  • A group of SANDF soldiers returns from the DRC after a long, dedicated deployment.

2 minutes

The South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) Chief Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni, says concerns that soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have not come back with their weapons are misplaced.

General Sangweni says 80% of the SANDF equipment and weapons have already been moved to Tanzania and the process to bring them back home is likely to take months. He says the weapons were moved when soldiers moved from Goma to Tanzania.

The fourth group of soldiers returning from the SADC Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC is expected to land at Bram Fischer International Airport on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.

“The weapons and equipment are coming back but it does not imply that they are carrying those weapons as of now. So there is a process currently underway of equipment being transported from Tanzania, where almost 80% have been moved from Goma to a transit camp in Tanzania. Then they will be moved by it, and it will take time,” General Sangweni explains.

WATCH: Third cohort of SANDF troops return from DRC

Meanwhile, the first cohort of the SANDF members to arrive back in the country from the DRC have completed the demobilisation programme. Members have left to be reintegrated to their units and thereafter they will be reunited with their families.

Their return follows a ceasefire agreement reached between the M23 rebels and the DRC military. Major General Godfrey Thulare has confirmed that the third group of 248 members that landed at Bram Fischer International Airport on Monday are expected to begin with their demobilisation programme at Tempe Military Base in Bloemfontein.

The phased withdrawal is expected to be complete by the 25th of June.

General Thulare says the demobilisation process is critical.

“The first day is the psychosocial programme where they are going to be interviewed by the chaplains. As well as social workers and other staff in a medical environment. The second day of the demo process is mainly on personnel, and they also do some intelligence briefings, and the third day they are going to be leaving.”

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