Pretoria – The number of South African soldiers killed in ongoing fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 14.
In a statement released Saturday, (1 February 2025), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) released the names of the deceased, which included a private, sergeants, corporals, lance corporals, riflemen, and a lance bombardier.
A previous update from the SANDF said the number of soldiers killed in the DRC stood at 13.
However, the latest list of the South African soldiers killed in the DRC had 14 names, with another soldier having reportedly succumbed to wounds in hospital.
“The SANDF solemnly announces the names of brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the recent battle with M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” the statement said.
The names of our gallant soldiers are as follows:
- Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
- Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
- Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
- Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
- Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
- Lance Bombardier Itumeleng MacDonald Moreo
- Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
- Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
- Rifleman Sebatane Richard chokoe
- Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
- Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
- Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
- Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
- Private Peter Jacobus Strydom
These soldiers were part of the SANDF contingent deployed to the region as part of both the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the troubled country (MONUSCO).
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“They displayed extraordinary courage in the confrontation with the M23 rebels who had attacked their base in Sake,” the SANDF statement said.
“The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Angie Motshekga, the Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans Major General (ret) Bantu Holomisa and Mr Richard Hlophe, together with the Acting Secretary for Defence Dr. Thobekile Gamede and the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya send their heartfeld condolences to the families of the deceased and entire Defence family.”
