It has been confirmed that four additional members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have lost their lives in Goma. This brings the cumulative death toll to 13 within a single week as the SANDF faces one of its most challenging periods in recent history.
The latest fatalities occurred amid ongoing clashes with the M23 rebel group, which has been aggressively asserting control over parts of the region, including Goma. This development follows the tragic loss of nine soldiers last Friday, marking a devastating blow to South Africa’s peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Impact on Families and Immediate Support
The SANDF has acted swiftly to support the families of the fallen soldiers during this deeply distressing time. SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini, emphasized the comprehensive measures taken to provide emotional and spiritual assistance to the bereaved families.
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SANDF soldiers killed in DRC-Image Source@X/MDNNews“What we have done since the loss of lives is dispatch our chaplains, general personnel, social workers, and psychologists to visit the families, inform them, and provide support in whichever way, including spiritually,” Dlamini stated.
This immediate outreach demonstrates the military’s commitment to ensuring that the families are not left to grieve in isolation. Professional teams have been deployed to address emotional, psychological, and logistical needs as the process of bringing the soldiers’ remains back to South Africa unfolds.
Challenges in Repatriation
While efforts are underway to return the remains of the fallen soldiers to their homeland, logistical hurdles in the conflict-stricken region make it difficult to determine an exact timeline. According to Dlamini, the SANDF is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure a dignified and efficient repatriation process.
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“We are now waiting to ensure that the remains of our members are prepared in Goma and repatriated back to South Africa. I am not in a position to tell you when exactly they will be repatriated,” Dlamini noted.
The uncertainty surrounding this process adds another layer of difficulty for the families and the military at large, as they continue to navigate the aftermath of these tragic events.