The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that the remains of the 14 soldiers who were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be returned to South Africa on Thursday.
The troops were killed last month in Goma during combat with the M23 rebel group. The delay in bringing their bodies home has left their families in mourning.
In a session at the National Assembly on Monday, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed that the soldiers’ remains would be repatriated by Thursday. Motshekga revealed that seven of the fallen soldiers were from Limpopo, three from Free State, and the remaining soldiers hailed from North West, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape.
All 14 will be laid to rest with full military honors.
The bodies were initially set to be brought to South Africa last week, but delays in the process led to a temporary holding of the remains at the United Nations Logistics Base in Entebbe, Uganda, before the final transfer to South Africa.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini also confirmed that a formal handing-over ceremony and memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 13, at the Air Force Base Swartkop. The exact time for the event will be announced later.
Traditional healer Solly Mathebula, known as Mkhulu Mahlasela, has expressed concerns over the delay, warning that failing to return the soldiers’ spirits to South Africa could lead to further violence against their families. According to Mathebula, a ritual to bring the spirits back is essential to avoid disruption and prevent similar deaths among the soldiers’ loved ones.
The soldiers killed in the DRC include:
- Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
- Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
- Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
- Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
- Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
- Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
- Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
- Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
- Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
- Private Peter Jacobus Strydom
- Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
- Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
- Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
- Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
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