Two SANDF soldiers killed and three wounded in attacks in the DRC

Lerato Mbhiza

TWO South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members deployed on a peace mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been killed.

Announcing the deaths, the South African military said three more soldiers were wounded in the incident on Wednesday near the eastern city of Goma.

“A mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African contingent military bases inflicting casualties and injuries to the SANDF soldiers,” the South African National Defence Force said in a statement.

“As a result of this indirect fire, the SANDF suffered two fatalities and three members sustained injuries,” the statement added.

The injured were taken to the nearest hospital in Goma, capital of the troubled North Kivu province.

A mortar is an artillery weapon that fires explosives at targets at close range.

Earlier this week, the Presidency announced the deployment of 2,900 troops to the DRC.

The troops were