Members of Parliament are never backward in coming forward with their differing views on issues of national significance. This played out during the debate on the tragic deaths of 14 soldiers who died recently while participating in a peace-keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During the debate, speakers from the various political parties represented in Parliament all began their address to the House by conveying their deepest and sincerest condolences to the distraught families of the fallen soldiers.
Those MPs who supported the deployment of South African National Defence Force soldiers in the region emphasised that the mission was part of the African Union’s 2063 Agenda, which seeks to establish peace, stability and prosperity to create the “Africa We Want”. However, others participating in the debate criticised the SANDF’s presence in the region, which they characterised as one of the most politically explosive regions on the African continent. They also criticised the SANDF’s lack of equipment and poor planning.
“Our soldiers didn’t die in defence of the defenceless, as claimed by the President. They were part of a not-well-planned peace-keeping mission. They were thrown into battle ill-equipped, underfunded,” said Mr Christian Hattingh (DA), who proposed the motion for debate. “Our soldiers fought against well-equipped and well-trained M23 rebels; our government sent them to war unprepared.”
Mr Hattingh called for accountability for this human calamity. In his view, the lack of accountability for the operational failure that led to human losses speaks to wide issues related to governance and leadership within the army. “The President and the Minister must be held accountable for failure to prioritise the safety and effectiveness of our troops,” he stated.
Also participating in the debate, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Mr Malusi Gigaba (ANC), supported the deployment of troops as part of the African Union’s 2063 Agenda. He proposed instead to hold a debate on South Africa’s role in safeguarding the wellbeing of all of Africa. “We have consistently taken a leadership role in advancing this agenda by promoting diplomacy, conflict resolution and development as foundations of an enduring peace in Africa,” he noted.
He also clarified that South Africa has adopted this diplomatic stance because no African country can be an island of peace and prosperity in a sea of political instability and violent conflict. “We don’t approach other countries as bullies, as a messiah or tyrant. But we always strive to be part of the collective in securing Africans lives and in achieving stability and sustainable development on the continent,” he said.
The DRC, like many other countries in Africa, is one of our strategic allies and should remain so, said Mr Mzikayise Ntshingila (MKP). He emphasised that there is nothing wrong with SANDF’s participation in peace-keeping missions in Africa but troops should be equipped with the proper military support and capacity, which the current government failed to provide.
He called on the South African government to continue to fight the business and political interests that seek to destabilise the DRC. “We are aware that there are many external role players in business and governments who want to destabilise the DRC, who are at the centre of this conflict. South Africa must not retreat and surrender to them,” Mr Ntshingila maintained.
This point was echoed by Mr Nsikayezwe Cebekhulu (IFP), who said that despite this setback, South Africa should continue to play a strong role in promoting peace and stability on the continent.
Meanwhile, Mr Julius Malema (EFF) called for the immediate recall of all South African troops, as South Africa cannot afford to lose any more lives. He alleged that the government had lied to South Africans when it deployed troops in the DRC. “This mission was presented to us as a peace-keeping mission. The truth is that our soldiers are not there to maintain peace. They are engaged in direct combat and are fighting against highly armed and strategically superior M23 rebels that are reckless,” Mr Malema suggested.
“While these rebels had advance weaponry, our soldiers were sent there without drones, fighter jets and critical military assets,” he continued. “Our soldiers were left vulnerable because of the failures of this government.”
This view was shared by Mr Songezo Zibi (Rise Mzansi), who claimed that the tragedy was the responsibility of successive Parliaments that approved the SANDF budget cuts that placed soldiers’ lives in danger. “We can’t keep on sending our army with knives to a gun fight,” he asserted.
Mr Mmusi Maimane (BOSA) pondered whether, given the state of South Africa’s army, “… if these were our children, would we have sent them to the DRC?” He continued: “Let’s bring our troops home. We have no business in the DRC because we have no fiscal room to sustain their presence there.”
The Minister of Defence, Ms Angie Motshekga (ANC), urged the critics to consider the SANDF’s role in the region in the context of South Africa’s foreign policy in Africa. “Since 1994, we adopted a foreign policy that seeks to contribute to peace and stability on the continent. To date, we have participated in 23 missions with UN [United Nations], AU and SADC [Southern African Develoopment Community] in various African countries,” she explained.
In addition, she added that the M23 attack of the SANDF base in the DRC is a clear violation of both the Nairobi Peace Process and the ceasefire agreement brokered by the Luanda Mediation Process.
She also added that the army’s presence in the DRC is part of South Africa’s foreign policy, which was initiated by our late President Mr Nelson Mandela. “It’s him who initiated the peace process that led to the changing of this country’s name from Zaire to the DRC,” Ms Motshekga reminded her listeners, in the knowledge that “our sustainability and our political and economic interests are intrinsically linked to Africa’s peace and stability.” Hence, we are now part of this peace-keeping mission, she said.
Abel Mputing
11 February 2025
Arrange a tour