27th June, 2024
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed huge sadness over the deaths of two soldiers and the injuries sustained by 20 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members were victims of a mortar attack on their base in Sake, located in the eastern DRC, on Tuesday.
In his statement issued on Thursday, Ramaphosa extended his “deep condolences” to the families of the fallen soldiers, as well as to their commanders and colleagues.
“The president’s thoughts are also with the SANDF members who are recovering from their injuries,” the statement read.
Ramaphosa assured the bereaved families and injured troops that the SANDF would provide the necessary logistical and psychosocial support.
He emphasized, “As we mourn the deaths and casualties inflicted on our soldiers, we value and are humbled by the sacrifices they have made for the cause of peace and stability in our region, and they shall not be forgotten.”
The statement noted that the South African soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC, which was deployed in December 2023 to support the DRC government’s efforts to restore peace and security in the eastern region of the country.