THE ANC remained unmoved by opposition party-led calls for the withdrawal of South African troops from the volatile Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying an abrupt withdrawal would be worse than a surrender.

During a parliamentary debate under the theme: “The recent casualties incurred by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo and their implications for the defence force,” opposition parties piled pressure on the ANC led coalition government to withdraw troops and for Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and President Cyril Ramaphosa to take accountability for the killing of 14 soldiers deployed to the DRC.

The SANDF members were part of a multi-national Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to stabilise the eastern region of the DRC amid ongoing clashes between the DRC military and M23 rebels.

South African flags at Parliament at half-mast. In a tribute, President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the national flag be flown at half-mast for a week to honour the fallen SANDF soldiers. | Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers

EFF leader Julius Malema said the deployment of South African troops under the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) which began in December 2023, was presented as a peacekeeping effort.

“However, the truth is that our soldiers are not there to maintain peace; they are engaged in direct combat, fighting against highly armed and strategically superior M23 rebels, who are supported by the reckless President of Rwanda, under Paul Kagame,” Malema said.

“The reality is that our soldiers are facing an enemy that has better weaponry, better resources and better intelligence.”

Malema added that the SANDF contingent in the DRC lacked resources.

Chris Hattingh, DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans said: "We stand with our soldiers, the wounded, those who will carry lifelong scars, and those still in the fight. But let’s be clear: they did not die in the defence of the defenceless - as the President claimed. They were not part of a well-planned peacekeeping mission. They were thrown into battle ill-equipped, underfunded, and without critical support in one of the world’s longest running and most brutal conflicts. They fought alongside the DRC armed forces against the M23 rebels, yet their own government sent them into war unprepared.”

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie said: “We have been humiliated, and we must teach people - when you kill a South African, there are consequences.”

On the repatriation of the mortal remains of the 14 soldiers, Motshekga said the bodies were still in Uganda, undergoing all the standard pathology procedures. It was hoped that they would be home by Monday but the latest is now Thursday, she said.

Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation said an abrupt withdrawal of South African troops from the region would be worse than a surrender.

“I also want to point out that these missions, notwithstanding their challenges at the time, have made Africa a better place,” Lamola said.

Cape Times