By Johnathan Paoli
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed a delay in the repatriation of 14 soldiers killed in combat in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along with other injured.
This follows the announcement by General Rudzani Maphwanya to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans that the soldiers would be returned on Wednesday.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini maintained that the delay was a result of a delay by the United Nations and not the South African armed forces.
“All administrative processes were completed and handed over to the United Nations. The United Nations’ planned movement for the repatriation of the deceased out of the combat zone has been delayed,” Dlamini said.
The SANDF has previously held that the return of the soldiers required an extensive process through the United Nations as well as the Southern African Development Community, both of which are in charge of the peace-keeping missions in the area.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking during his State of the Nation Address, has announced that the national flag would be flown at half-mast for a week from Friday, to mourn and honour the fallen soldiers.
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