President Cyril Ramaphosa is deeply saddened by the deaths of two soldiers and injuries sustained by 20 others in a mortar attack on their base in Sake in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced the news on Wednesday. This brings the number of soldiers who have died in the DRC in 2024 to five.
In a statement, SANDF said the families of the two members who lost their lives have been informed. All procedures to bring their mortal remains are currently underway.
“Four members who were critically injured have been hospitalised, while the rest who suffered minor injuries are expected to be discharged soon. The names of the deceased will be communicated in due course,” said the SANDF.
Names of the deceased to be communicated
Ramaphosa has offered his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen troops as well as their commanders and colleagues.
The president’s thoughts are also with the SANDF members who are recovering from their injuries.
Ramaphosa reassured the bereaved families and the injured troops of support. The SANDF will take the utmost care to provide logistical and psychosocial support to all those affected.
“As we mourn the deaths and casualties inflicted on our soldiers, we value and are humbled by the sacrifices they have made. Sacrifices they made for the cause of peace and stability in our region. And they shall not be forgotten,” said Ramaphosa.
Part of mission to restore peace and security in the eastern DRC
South African forces are part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). It was deployed on December 15 2023. Its mission is to support the DRC government to restore peace and security in the eastern DRC.
This was in response to an increase in conflicts and instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups.
The SANDF on Thursday revealed the name of the soldier who died in the line of duty in the DRC.
Sergeant Mbulelo David Ngubane passed away Thursday, on 30 May 2024, following contact between the M23 and SADC forces.
Ngubane, 39, was the operational medical practitioner in the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS).
SANDF medic killed in May
“He was shot and killed when the ambulance in which he was tending to injured members was attacked,” the SANDF explained. It added that the ambulance was marked as a medically-equipped vehicle.
“This unfortunate incident occurred even though the Geneva Convention on Law of Armed Conflict clearly stipulates categories of protected persons and objects like medical personnel, medical transport in particular and other establishments of this nature during an armed conflict,” the statement read.
According to the SANDF, the act goes against published international norms in the conduct of armed conflict.
Two SANDF killed in February in DRC
The SANDF soldiers are part of the SAMIDRC. They are deployed to support and assist Africa’s second-largest country to restore peace, security and stability.
In February this year, Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono were killed in the DRC. Three of their colleagues were injured after a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African contingency military bases.
The SANDF said Ngubane’s memorial service and funeral will be communicated soon. Additional reporting by SAnews.gov.za
