The death toll for South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has tragically risen to thirteen in just one week.
This follows the confirmation of four more fatalities, bringing the total losses to an alarming level. The latest casualties occurred amidst intense fighting between the DRC military (FARDC), the M23 rebel militia, and the SANDF, highlighting the increasingly perilous situation facing South African peacekeepers.
The Department of Defence’s Head of Communication, Siphiwe Dlamini, released a statement on Tuesday, 28 January, detailing the latest losses. Three SANDF members were killed in the crossfire during an exchange of mortar fire near Goma Airport on Monday, 27 January. The airport houses a co-located SANDF base, placing the soldiers directly in the line of fire between the FARDC and the M23 rebels.
Adding to the tragedy, a fourth soldier, previously injured in fighting over the preceding three days, succumbed to their wounds. Dlamini stated: “Furthermore, the SANDF is also saddened to announce that one of our members who was injured during the battle with M23 rebels over the past three days later succumbed to injuries. The rest of the injured members continue to receive medical attention at the Level 3 Hospital in Goma.”
The SANDF maintains its commitment to its peacekeeping responsibilities under both the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). In a statement, the SANDF asserted: “Our troops continue to operate with resolve, courage, and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, along with her deputies and SANDF leadership, extended their condolences to the families of the deceased and the broader defence community.
The escalating conflict has led to several concerning developments. A video circulating on social media showed SANDF soldiers raising a white flag at a base in Saké. Dlamini clarified the situation, stating: “The footage in question depicts a white flag raised, which is an outcome of discussions between the opposing fighting forces to agree on a truce to allow M23 to recover their dead and injured in the vicinity of our base. This will also open the route for our troops to access medical facilities. This is common practice in any war.”
However, Daily Maverick reported that this truce subsequently lapsed without the retrieval of the dead. Dlamini emphatically stated to the publication: “But it was not a surrender.”
The situation in Goma remains extremely tense. On Monday night, Dlamini reported that SANDF troops were confined to their bases in Goma and Saké, 23km to the northwest, describing the situation as “very tense”.
The scale of the crisis became fully apparent following the initial reports of nine SANDF soldier deaths on Saturday, 25 January. These deaths resulted from two days of intense fighting on Thursday and Friday, as the SANDF attempted to repel the M23 advance on Goma. Seven of these soldiers were deployed with SAMIDRC, and two with MONUSCO. The UN also reported the deaths of three Malawian soldiers (SAMIDRC) and a Uruguayan soldier (MONUSCO) during the same battles.
This unfolding tragedy has prompted calls for parliamentary action. Democratic Alliance defence spokesperson Chris Hattingh has called for an urgent debate to assess the adequacy of equipment provided to South African soldiers in the DRC and to explore measures to prevent future tragedies. The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
The conflict is further complicated by reports of overt Rwandan support for the M23 rebels, with FARDC forces reportedly surrendering to Rwandan troops. The DRC government has deemed this intervention an act of war, severing diplomatic ties with Rwanda. The UN estimates that Rwanda has 3,000–5,000 troops within the DRC.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, on Monday, agreeing on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks. The Presidency stated: “The two heads of state have agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks by all parties to the conflict.”
The dire situation faced by the South African troops, including severe shortages of ammunition and supplies, has been highlighted by accounts from soldiers themselves. One soldier’s message conveyed the gravity of the situation: “It is bad. It is very bad.” Another text message described the initial assault: “We are surrounded by M23. They started shooting at us from the mountains.”
Meanwhile, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force in eastern Congo is vowing to crush the M23 rebels, who say they have taken control of the city of Goma.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the SADC chairperson, said the regional body will assume “full responsibility and take action to deal with the offensive of the M23 rebels.”
“The chairman condemns, unreservedly, the cowardly attacks on the UN and SADC peacekeepers that have resulted in some of them paying the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace in the eastern DRC,” said a statement from Mnangagwa’s office on Monday.
“The chairman of SADC points out that SADC will assume its full responsibility and take action to deal with the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. Those responsible for the situation should be held accountable.”
These accounts, along with reports of soldiers suffering panic attacks and the initial lack of adequate response, paint a picture of a crisis demanding immediate and decisive action. The SANDF’s response, including the dispatch of two Ilyushin 76 cargo planes from Waterkloof airbase on Saturday, has been met with some criticism, with concerns raised about the lack of special forces support and the urgent need for armed drones. Sources within the defence industry revealed the military’s frantic search for international suppliers of armed drones, highlighting a critical gap in their capabilities.
