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Names of the fallen heroes of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who died in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 14 SANDF peace keepers who died in the eastern DRC two weeks ago will be laid to rest in a full military honour.
This was revealed by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga.
Their remains are expected back in the country on Thursday.
Motshekga was part of the National Assembly debate on the participation of SANDF troops in the DRC.
“Of the people that have passed on, seven come from Limpopo, three are from the Free State, one each from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and North West Province. And all the members will be laid to rest in full military honour for their sacrifice.”
Meanwhile, the DA in Parliament has called for accountability over the deaths of 14 SANDF peacekeepers.
It was part of the multi-party Parliament debate on the participation of the SANDF troops in the DRC.
The region has been marred by violence and displacement of civilians for many years.
DA’s MP Chris Hattingh says both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Motshekga must be held accountable.
“The lack of accountability for these operational failures speaks to wider issues of both governance and leadership. The president and the minister must be held to account for failing to prioritize the safety and the effectiveness of the troops. Only on Tuesday, the Minister of Defence in a staggering ignorance, said we are not going to war. We are not taking all our power.”
“We are only taking all that we need to protect ourselves. This was an excuse for a close air support, our Rooivalk attack helicopters. She deliberately avoided the truth,” adds Hattingh.
ActionSA also joined several calls for Motshekga to resign.
ActionSA MP Athol Trollip elaborates, “As confirmed by the Minister Motshekga in her reply to my Parliamentary question, she said the deployment is devoid of strategy [and] lacks national interest. Suffering incapacitation and frankly there is no defensible reason to continue. Minister Angie Motshekga must resign or be fired by the end of the day. Our troops must return before the end of this month.”
