By Akani Nkuna
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has welcomed the third group of troops returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A total of 220 soldiers arrived at the Bram Fisher International Airport in Bloemfontein on Monday afternoon. The first contingent arrived on Friday and the second on Sunday.
The return forms part of a scheduled rotation and demobilisation process following the conclusion of the Southern African Development Community peacekeeping mission in the conflict-ridden eastern province of North Kivu.
Their homecoming comes just months after the deaths of 14 SANDF soldiers during fierce clashes in Goma.
All personnel are expected to return home by the end of June, with at least nine rotation flights scheduled in total.
“This phased return is part of the SANDF’s planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,” SANDF said in statement earlier on Monday.
A total of over 2000 South African troops were deployed in eastern DRC as part of the now-defunct SAMIDRC mission.
On concerns around the return of heavy equipment and vehicles used in the DRC, SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said over the weekend that equipment was being transported overland to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, from where it will be shipped to South Africa.
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