Johannesburg – Four more South African soldiers have died in fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where M23 Rebels are laying siege on Goma.
In a statement released on Tuesday, (28 January 2025), TheSouth African Defence Force (SANDF) said: “Following an exchange of mortar bomb between the FARDC, Congolese Defence Force, and the M23 rebel militia on Monday, 27 January 2025, near Goma Airport, where the SANDF Base is co-located, three members of the SANDF were caught in the crossfire and were killed”‘.
The M23 rebels launched several motor bombs in the direction of Goma Airport, which landed in the SANDF base and this resulted in the SANDF losing three members.
“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 SANDF said.
The latest deaths in the DRC bring to 13 the number of soldiers killed in the Congo.
RELATED: Nine SA Soldiers Killed In DRC Fighting As M23 Rebels Attempt To Take Over Goma – The Bulrushes
“The rest of the injured members continue to receive medical attention at the Level 3 Hospital in Goma.”
The SANDFa said it remains “fully committed” to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).
“Our troops continue to operate with resolve, courage, and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” SANDF.
RELATED: South Africa Deploys 2 900 Soldiers To DRC To Assist Fight Against Rebels – The Bulrushes
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, deputy ministers Major General Bantu Holomisa and Richard Hlophe, the acting secretary for defence, Dr. Thobekile Gamede, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, sent their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire defence family.
In a related development, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame have called for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The SA Presidency said the leaders spoke on the phone. They discussed the worsening crisis in the eastern DRC.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s President William Ruto held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, (27 January 2025), to help defuse the escalating fighting in the DRC.
