By Alicia Mmashakana
The SA National Defence Force has confirmed that the all soldiers injured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who require emergency treatment have arrived in South Africa.
They were flown in from Tuesday.
The SANDF said on Wednesday that the soldiers were divided into three priority areas of care: critical, non-critical and those who required psychological and social intervention.
“The SANDF remains committed to the welfare of our soldiers. We therefore urge the public to respect and afford privacy to our members and their families during the healing process,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans chairperson Dakota Legoete described the soldiers as heroes who had withstood challenging circumstances in the face of much trouble and assault.
“It gives us pride to have our heroes returned to our country safest. The first point of call should be to get them the most necessary medical attention while protecting their privacy,” he said in a statement.
South Africa’s soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community mission to Goma in the DRC.
While the government insists on keeping troops in the DRC to help bring about peace, there have been growing calls for their return to South Africa after 14 of them were recently killed.
Legoete said South Africans must accept debate around concerns regarding the army and should be done.
“But in equal measure those in the army should raise their voices if they so wish using communication channels that are there,” he said.
Legoete called on South Africans not to reply on social media for information on what was happening in the DRC and what type injuries the soldiers had suffered. They should instead rely on information from the SANDF.
However, the SANDF has been cagey about giving out details. It is understood around 100 soldiers were wounded.
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