More soldiers die in the DRC

 

Following an exchange of mortar bombs between the FARDC, Congolese Defence Force and the M23 rebel militia on Monday, near Goma Airport where the SANDF Base is collocated, three members of the SANDF were caught in the crossfire and were killed.

The SANDF troops, deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC The M23 rebels launched several mortar bombs in the direction of Goma Airport, which landed in the SANDF base, and this resulted in the SANDF losing three members, it said.

 

The SANDF is also saddened to announce that one of the members who was injured during the battle with M23 rebels over the past three days later succumbed to injuries.

 

The department said that the rest of the injured members continued to receive medical attention at the Level 3 Hospital in Goma.

The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).

 

On Monday, the SANDF said its members were safe in their bases, amid widespread reports that M23 rebels have seized the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

 (SAMIDRC), were engaged in a two day battle to prevent the rebel group from advancing towards Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu.

On Monday, after the rebels claimed to have overrun Goma, SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the South Africans who are part of SADC peacekeepers deployed to DRC are safe in their bases.

 

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Angie Motshekga sent her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

 

Done by: Shaneca Cupido