The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have condemned the South African government's response to the deaths of nine SANDF soldiers in the DRC, criticizing a lack of support and communication. They called for accountability and better support for troops as tensions escalate in the war-torn region.
The Economic Freedom Fighters ( EFF ) and the African Transformation Movement ( ATM ) have strongly condemned the South Africa n government's response following the tragic deaths of nine soldiers from the South Africa n National Defence Force ( SANDF ) during a fierce skirmish with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ).
This call for accountability comes amid unsettling reports that the soldiers were not only unsupported but also faced serious logistical challenges, including running out of provisions. The conflict in the DRC, notorious for its volatility, has simmered for over three years, with the Congolese army facing off against M23 rebel fighters. Reports indicate that the fighting escalated significantly over the last week, particularly on Thursday and Friday, as clashes erupted near the cities of Sake and Goma. In addition to the fatalities, media sources have confirmed that at least 18 soldiers sustained injuries in the conflict. EFF Member of Parliament Carl Niehaus directed sharp criticism toward Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, accusing her of withholding critical information regarding the incident. He highlighted that it was only after the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) released a preliminary statement confirming the deaths that SANDF attempted to communicate about the situation. Niehaus also criticized the President's silence, who was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. He argued that the government’s communication failure undermines public trust in both the SANDF and its ability to effectively manage crises. The EFF condemned what they termed a “lack of respect” for the fallen soldiers. “Our soldiers who laid down their lives deserve more than the contemptuous silence of the SANDF and their Commander-in-Chief,” stated Niehaus, criticising the government’s brief media statement as inadequate and lacking in substance. Joining the EFF in their outcry, Vuyo Zungula, the leader of the African Transformation Movement, emphasized the need for introspection regarding the military’s deteriorating operational capacity. He expressed alarm over the policies and conditions resulting in the soldiers' untimely deaths, identifying inadequate resources and declining equipment reliability as serious concerns. “It is unacceptable that our soldiers are deployed in high-stakes situations without the necessary support and tools to ensure their safety and success,” stated Zungula. The Democratic Alliance (DA) also indicated that the latest incident has renewed its call for the SA troops to be withdrawn from the DRC with the party also slamming the department for its lack of communication and questioning its preparedness amid years of budget cuts. The party also called on the minister to urgently brief Parliament on the deteriorating and calamitous situation in the DRC, with 9 soldiers killed in action and many more wounded in the past two days. “As our hearts go out to their families, we will not rest until we get answers and we hear a plan from the Minister to safeguard the SA base and personnel on the ground. “It is unacceptable that while SA soldiers are marched to their deaths, while the President, who ordered the deployment, sit locked in internal party scuffles, fighting internal party battles, at the ANC Lekgotla,” said Chris Hattingh, the DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans.
South Africa DRC SANDF Military Government Accountability EFF ATM Defence Minister President M23 Rebels Conflict
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