Latest news with #RudzaniMaphwanya
eNCA
2 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
SANDF troops withdrawal from DRC hits a snag
BLOEMFONTEIN - SADC will not meet their deadline to withdraw SANDF peacekeepers from the DRC by the end of May. This is due to logistical delays withdrawing all heavy equipment from their base near Goma. The SANDF says just over 30 trucks have transported South African Military equipment from Goma to Tanzania. Other heavy equipment will be transported through the Dar es Salaam port to South Africa. The transportation of Tanzanian, South African and Malawian troops will then begin. The Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, honoured the lives of the 14 soldiers lost recently on UN International Peacekeepers Day. South Africa first provided peacekeepers to the DRC in 1999 under the UN MONUSCO mission. And despite the recent losses in fighting near Goma, the defence force says peacekeeping remains part of their mission.
eNCA
3 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Fallen SANDF soldiers honoured
BLOEMFONTEIN - SADC will not meet their deadline to withdraw SANDF peacekeepers from the DRC by the end of May. This is due to logistical delays withdrawing all heavy equipment from their base near Goma. The Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, honoured the lives of the 14 soldiers lost recently on UN International Peacekeepers Day.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
SANDF says 2nd group of troops still in DRC will return once all combat equipment arrives in Tanzania
JOHANNESBURG - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the second group of troops still in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will only return home once all combat equipment has arrived at the assembly point in Tanzania. Chief of the SANDF Rudzani Maphwanya revealed this during the observation of annual United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Day at De Brug Military Base in Bloemfontein on Thursday. ALSO READ: - General Maphwanya: SANDF undeterred and committed to ensure peace prevails in Africa - UN Peacekeeping Day: SANDF honours fallen soldiers killed in DRC - SANDF refutes claims of troops returning from DRC surrendering weapons in Rwanda The first group of soldiers was withdrawn from the war-torn country recently, with the SANDF saying it's conducting a phased withdrawal of all troops. General Maphwanya said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has authorised transportation for peacekeepers to return to their respective countries. Earlier in 2025, the SADC gave an official directive to withdraw all SADC troops and equipment. The decision came after a ceasefire was brokered with M23 and the DRC military during a summit in Tanzania in March. Before talks began, South Africa lost 14 soldiers deployed to the volatile region of Goma, north of Kivu. 'We are working around the clock with the SADC Secretariat to ensure that we get all our people and equipment back from the eastern DRC,' said Maphwanya. 'We are at the critical stage of this withdrawal. The contingent's equipment of all the countries that had contributed troops, and equipment is already at above 65% to the assembly area.' He also added that all the soldiers who died serving did not die in vain. COMMITMENT TO DRC PEACEKEEPING MISSION REAFFIRMED Maphwanya has reaffirmed the national force's commitment to support the UN peacekeeping mission in the eastern DRC. Military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who contributed to fostering peace in war-torn zones were honoured during a wreath-laying ceremony. South Africa has been a part of various UN missions for almost three decades, with its largest contribution in the DRC. 'Achieving peace comes at a high price, with casualties and setbacks, yet in honouring those we have lost, we reaffirm our determination to see peace, security, and stability becoming a reality for nations across our continent and the world,' Maphwanya said.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
SANDF withdrawal from DRC at critical phase, says Maphwanya
The SANDF chief honoured the 14 South African soldiers who lost their lives in the DRC. The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Rudzani Maphwanya, says the ongoing withdrawal of troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at a critical stage. The phased withdrawal began on 29 April, following discussions between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). ALSO READ: 'We're in serious trouble': SANDF crisis deepens as leaders clash over its future The process follows a tragic loss of 14 SANDF members during clashes between the DRC military and the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC. The troops' withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of May. While military personnel will be flown home, the equipment will need to be transported by sea. SANDF chief pays tribute to fallen soldiers Delivering the keynote address during the United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers International Day commemoration in Bloemfontein on Thursday, Maphwanya reflected on the cost of peacekeeping missions. The SANDF chief highlighted that achieving peace comes at a high price, with casualties and setbacks. He noted that more than 4 000 peacekeepers have died while serving under the UN flag. 'Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Peacekeepers play a vital role in conflict zones, maintaining ceasefires, protecting vulnerable populations, and supporting the rebuilding of societies ravaged by war,' he said. READ MORE: What is taking so long? Why SANDF troops can't get a lift home Maphwanya honoured the 14 SANDF soldiers who lost their lives in the DRC, saying their 'sacrifice was not in vain'. 'Their toil, their blood, is the tree we see today, a tree bearing the nascent fruits of peace and stability in that nation. 'However, we are not under any illusion that our work is complete. We recognise that we are still a long way from achieving our ultimate goal of lasting peace and stability.' He reaffirmed the SANDF's commitment to peacekeeping efforts, stating that South Africa remains ready to support future missions in the DRC. 'SADC, along with other international entities, will continue to seek peaceful resolutions in the Central African nation.' SANDF withdrawal from DRC progressing Maphwanya also made it clear that the SANDF's departure should not be seen as abandoning the people of the DRC. 'As directed by our government, we remain prepared to support future peacekeeping missions in the DRC and elsewhere, whenever and wherever our expertise and dedication are required.' He further highlighted the logistical complexity of the withdrawal process. 'We are working around the clock with the SADC secretariat to ensure that we get all our people and equipment back from the eastern DRC. We are at a critical stage of the withdrawal of the contingent's equipment.' READ MORE: Concerns raised about 'disorganised' withdrawal of SA troops from DRC In addition, Maphwanya reiterated that the SANDF's objective remains to foster peace and stability through mediation and political engagement. 'War and peace are not opposites, but rather two sides of the same coin. While war is a brutal and destructive force, the pursuit of peace is a fundamental human desire that unites us all.' At least 2 500 SANDF troops were deployed in December 2023 as part of the SAMIDRC mission, replacing the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (Monusco) in eastern parts of the country. Watch the commemoration event below:
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'We will remember them': SANDF pays tribute to fallen soldiers
The chief of the SANDF, Gen Rudzani Maphwanya, says the force is now at a critical phase of withdrawal from the Sadc Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), where South African troops have been deployed to support peace efforts. 'The contingent equipment of all the countries that had contributed troops and equipment is already at above 65% to the assembly area,' he said. The SANDF observed the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Thursday to honour the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers — past and present — who have served in the pursuit of peace. Maphwanya paid tribute to the 14 SANDF members who lost their lives while serving in the DRC, describing them as 'heroes whose blood nurtured the roots of peace'. 'Their wounds are still fresh. They were fighting for the Congolese people's right to a peaceful and stable existence. I say with unwavering conviction that their sacrifice was not in vain. 'Their toil, their blood, is the tree we see today, a tree bearing the nascent fruits of peace and stability in that nation. However, we are not under any illusion that our work is complete. We recognise that we are still a long way from achieving our ultimate goal of lasting peace and stability.' he said.
