29 January 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) extends its deepest condolences to the families of the 13 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who have been confirmed killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We urge the South African government to provide comprehensive support to the families of the deceased.
The SANDF soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) deployed to support and assist the government of Africa’s second-largest country to restore peace, security, and stability.
It is with great sadness that these heroic efforts by the 13 soldiers were cut short. FEDUSA echoes concerns raised about the preparedness of the SANDF, particularly considering reports suggesting lack of necessary resources for this peacekeeping mission. These concerns include years of budget cuts
impacting training, equipment, and maintenance.
FEDUSA joins calls for a thorough assessment of all missions where SANDF soldiers are deployed to
ensure adequate resources and their safety. We anticipate this tragic loss will serve as a wake-up call for the government to reconsider its approach to resourcing and supporting the SANDF.