South African Members of Parliament Demand Investigation into Troops Deployed to DR Congo

Opposition political groups are calling for a judicial commission of investigation into the failure and deficiencies of the South African National Defense Forces’ (SANDF) “ill-conceived” mission, which is a result of South Africa’s army deployment in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Members of the National Assembly also demanded on Monday, February 10, that the defense minister resign because the nation was still reeling over the loss of 14 troops in the DR Congo’s turbulent eastern region in late January.

In order to support a coalition of Congolese armed forces, European mercenaries, the genocidal FLDR, Burundian forces, and Wazalendo militia in the fight against the M23 rebels, the SANDF along with troops from Tanzania and Malawi deployed under the contentious Southern African Development Community Mission in DR Congo (SAMIDRC).

Following their conquest of Goma City, the Congolese army submitted to the M23 rebels. There were up to 300 mercenaries who entered Rwanda and were granted safe return travel.

On the way to Goma, the rebels killed up to 14 SANDF personnel. There are rumors that the M23 is currently regulating the movement of the South African soldiers and other SAMIDRC personnel, limiting them to their bases at Sake and Goma airport.

South African media, however, said Tuesday that the nation has added 700–800 more soldiers to its struggling contingent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a Monday parliamentary discussion, opposition leaders in South Africa called for explanations for the mission’s failure.

“Some generals insisted that the President should be informed of the defense forces’ shortcomings and consequent inability to proceed with the mission,” according to Pieter Groenewald, leader of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), who suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa should form a judicial commission of inquiry to look into this matter.

In the DR Congo, a few military generals concealed “important information” about the SANDF’s deficiencies and its incapacity to “proceed with the mission.”

Senior generals, he said, were making a valiant effort to conceal the SANDF’s incompetence and deterioration.

The 2013 Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic claimed the lives of 15 South African soldiers, and Groenewald stated the recent casualties of South African soldiers in eastern DR Congo were similar.

Former Commando officer Groenewald pointed out that the military “always does” in-depth research and inquiry after incidents like the 1997 Operation Boleas in Lesotho, which was also a SADC operation, and the Bangui conflict with Seleka rebels.

Regarding the Bangui disaster in particular, Groenewald informed the National Assembly that “history repeated itself 12 years later.”

Groenewald and MPs from other parties cited antiquated weapons and a lack of air and logistical assistance as explanations for the South African contingent’s failure in DR Congo.

Steve Swart of the African Christian Democratic Party supported the request for a judicial investigation, claiming that the reputation of the SANDF was harmed by the soldiers’ deaths.

Defense Minister Angie Motshekga was also urged to resign by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Athol Trollip of ActionSA concurred, declaring that the troops had been put up for failure and, eventually, death. He also demanded that they leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo and that any further deployments be stopped until a defense review panel has been established.

Until the end of the day, Minister Angie Motshekga has to step down or face termination. Trollip stated, “We have to get our troops back before the end of this month.”

“Culpable dereliction charges should be brought against all those to blame for the poorly planned deployment, insufficient logistical support, and ineffective command.”

The defense minister was clearly out of her depth, according to Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane, who also noted that South Africa’s involvement in the crisis was obviously aggressive rather than peacekeeping.

“We shall eventually discover the true motivations behind President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Angie Motshekga as Minister of Defense,” stated DA MP Chris Hattingh. Right now, it’s straightforward: it doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t make sense, and we agree with them. I want to be clear. Regardless of whether it is done honorably or not, we must leave [DR Congo] right now, and Minister Motshekga must leave. The days of making excuses are done.

According to reputable South African defense analyst Helmoed Heitman, SAMIDRC was a total failure last week, and the regional bloc need to discuss a pullout from DR Congo.