By Simon Nare
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has fiercely refuted claims that South African troops on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo are in the country to protect the business interests of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Addressing the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans on Tuesday, Motshekga said it was ludicrous to even suggest that all the countries that were participating in the mission were protecting the interests of one individual.
The minister said it defied logic that the mission, which was sanctioned by the Southern African Development Community and supported by the United Nations, was in support of Ramaphosa’s interests.
She added that 15 heads of state convened in Namibia where the decision was taken to embark on the peacekeeping mission in the eastern DRC where 14 South African National Defence Force were killed in a gun battle with that country’s rebel group M23.
“It would really shake to the core that heads of state of 15 countries meet in a specific date in Windhoek in Namibia and agreed to the mission. So, it means all of the 15 from the allegations agreed to go and support the interests of South African business.
“I think in my view it is taking the entire SADC for nothing. It’s a mission supported by AU, so it means even AU is supporting a mission for an individual in South Africa. Worse still, UN also. So, it means UN is supporting a mission for an individual in South Africa. It can’t be true,” argued Motshekga.
The minister was responding to repeated questions from MPs who questioned the presence of South African troops in the DRC amid allegations that Ramaphosa had mining business interests in that country.
The allegations were also fueled by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who alluded in a television interview that South Africa was benefiting from minerals in the DRC.
Motshekga also told the committee that negotiations were underway to arrange the repatriation of the bodies of the fallen South African soldiers in Goma, which was now under the control of the rebel group.
Motshekga further confirmed that the airport in Goma was now a no-fly zone, but emphasised that the department was in discussions with the UN to ensure that the remains of the soldiers and the wounded were brought home.
The minister further defended the presence of South African troops in DRC, saying the country has been involved in many missions and recently troops were also deployed in Mozambique after protests broke out following the disputed elections.
“This is a SADC mission. It is not a South African mission. It’s not us as South Africa, but we are there as a bigger mission… So, it’s a SADC operation.
“What is currently keeping us busy is the repatriation of our remains in Goma,” said the minister.
She explained that when the town was attacked, the airport runaway was taken over by the rebel group. She added that families of the deceased have been informed about the efforts to bring back the remains of their loved ones.
SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphanywa told the committee that the SA soldiers put up a gallant fight in a gun battle that lasted for three days.
MPs were unhappy about the presentation of the generals who appeared alongside the minister. The MPs complained that their presentation did not give a detailed account of how the soldiers were killed and merely revealed what was already know and reported in the media.
Meanwhile, the DA has called of the immediate withdrawal of SA’s troops, saying the situation continued to deteriorate with fresh reports that the SA soldiers had been captured by the rebels.
DA spokesperson defence and military Chris Hattingh said the M23 group now controlled critical airspace and had encircled SANDF operation bases in Goma, making evacuation efforts even more perilous.
“The DA has repeatedly called for the immediate withdrawal of our troops from the DRC, and we will continue to do so. Our soldiers are being sent into an unwinnable situation with inadequate support, and the people of South Africa deserve answers.
“More than that, they deserve action…. reports from 2015 up to 2024 explicitly detail that the SANDF is in no position to undertake any peace or offensive mission, given its dire state of affairs,” said Hattingh.
He added that Motshekga in the joint portfolio committee failed to respond to critical questions regarding the situation on the ground.
“She did not address concerns about our soldiers being surrounded by M23 rebels and having their movements controlled, nor did she respond to questions about whether there is any viable land or air logistical access to our forces.
“The DA strongly reiterates our call for the immediate withdrawal of South African troops from the DRC. The families of those who have already made the ultimate sacrifice deserve closure, and our remaining soldiers need to be brought home before more lives are lost in a conflict that does not serve South Africa’s interests,” he said.
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