Sunday, 26 January 2025.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the nine South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who tragically lost their lives during peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These brave men and women, deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO), paid the ultimate price in service to our nation. We honour their courage and sacrifice.

The EFF is deeply disturbed by the lack of urgency and respect shown by the SANDF in informing the public and the families of the fallen soldiers. It is unacceptable that South Africans were forced to rely on foreign sources for news of this devastating loss, as SANDF delayed in releasing critical information. This demonstrates a glaring failure in leadership and crisis communication.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF, and Minister of

Defence Angie Motshekga must account for this failure. It is unconscionable that the President remained silent, prioritising his engagement at the World Economic Forum while our nation grieved. Similarly, the Minister of Defence’s misleading public statements and delayed response reflect gross incompetence. Both must take responsibility for these failures, and we demand the Minister’s immediate resignation.

The EFF reiterates its long-standing warnings that SANDF troops deployed in the DRC are under-resourced and ill-prepared to face the dangers posed by the well-equipped M23 rebels. In fact, it is reported that our soldiers had no supplies or ammunition as of Friday, a glaring case of neglect on the part of our government. These deployments appear to serve the interests of multinational corporations exploiting the DRC’s mineral wealth, rather than prioritising peace or South Africa’s sovereignty.

On the 15th of February 2024, the Commander-in-Chief of the EFF Julius Malema warned about the dangers of the SANDF deployment to the DRC, as our army is ill-equipped, neglected and the deployments pose a risk of life of our soldiers. Therefore, the news of the death of nine SANDF soldiers in the DRC is painful and could have been avoided.

The EFF calls on the deployment of South African soldiers to the DRC to be withdrawn with immediate effect! We further call for an emergency joint sitting of Parliament to hold President Ramaphosa accountable and to urgently present the withdrawal plan for our soldiers to return home safely. Lasting peace in the region can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of the conflict and resultant exploitation of the DRC.

To the families of the fallen, we stand with you in this time of immense sorrow. May the memories of these heroes inspire a commitment to justice and peace across our continent.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572