JUST IN: Another SANDF soldier dies in the DRC

The South African Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that another soldier has died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as fighting continues to rage on near the city of Goma.

It is understood the SANDF soldier died from his wounds in hospital on Saturday.

This brings to 14 the number of SANDF soldiers that have been killed in the DRC in the battle with M23 rebels.

The SANDF released the names of the soldiers who had died in the DRC on Saturday.

• 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

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans  Angie Motshekga, her deputy Bantu Holomisa and other officials sent their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire defence family.

DRC crisis

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held crisis talks in Zimbabwe on Friday about the escalating violence in the DRC.

They condemned the recent attacks by the rebel group M23.

The SADC leaders also called for a collective effort to respond to the advance of the M23 rebel group.

ALSO READ: Lamola warns attacks on SA soldiers in DRC a potential ‘war crime’ [VIDEO]

Ceasefire

Earlier this week, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola met with his DRC counterpart to address the escalating hostilities between the DRC and Rwanda, which have also caused a diplomatic spat.

While Lamola warned that escalating hostilities between the DRC and Rwanda could spiral into a full-scale regional war, he said the SA government is pushing for a ceasefire agreement.

“[I] Had a call with Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe (Rwanda’s foreign minister). We committed to advancing dialogue on eastern DRC and agreed to pursue the spirit of the ceasefire agreement as per our heads of state and regional processes of SADC and the East African Community (EAC),” Lamola said in a post on X.

SANDF soldiers

The deaths of the South African soldiers have led to criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government and increased pressure on him to pull the country’s troops out of the country.

Earlier this week, the SADF confirmed that four more South African soldiers died in the DRC.

Dlamini told The Citizen, that three of the soldiers died in fighting at the airport in the provincial capital of Goma on Monday.

Dlamini said the fourth died from injuries sustained in a major clash with M23 on Thursday and Friday last week when nine SANDF soldiers died.

*This is a developing story

ALSO READ: Four more SANDF soldiers killed in the DRC