Johannesburg – The two South African soldiers – Captain Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Thabang Semono – who died in a mortar incident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be laid to rest this weekend.
Both soldiers were killed on 14 February 2024 while deployed as part of the SADC Mission in the DRC.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Wednesday announced that the soldiers will be laid to rest in separate funerals on Saturday, (2 March 2024), in Kimberley and Pretoria.
Their funeral arrangements are as follows:
- Captain Mkhulu Bobe: The Funeral Service will be held at 21964 Stamper Street, Vergenoeg, in Kimberly at 09:00, and later proceed to the family burial site.
- Lance Corporal Thabang Semono: The Funeral service will be held at Thaba Tshwane City Hall, and will be buried at Thaba Tshwane Cemetery.
- Both members will be accorded Funeral with Military Honours.
“The South African Army has appointed members of the Army Command Council; being Major General Thituwi Mulaudzi to administer during the funeral of Captain Bobe, while Major General Dilebogo Mashego will administer the funeral of Lance Corporal Semono,” SANDF said.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla, the Acting Secretary for Defence Dr. Thobekile Gamede and the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya have expressed their “heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and continue to wish the injured members a speedy recovery”.
