Beginning of Repatriation Process for 14 South African Soldiers Who Died in DRC Conflict

Johannesburg – The process of repatriating the remains of 14 South African soldiers who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has commenced.

In a brief announcement, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) stated: “After facing delays in transporting the remains of the deceased from the DRC to the UN Logistics Base in Entebbe, Uganda, the SANDF is now able to confirm that the transfer is in progress.”

Initially, Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya informed Parliament that the bodies were expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday.

Furthermore, the SANDF has disclosed that the United Nations is facilitating the “movement” of the deceased soldiers.

“It is anticipated that by tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) East African Time (EAT), they will reach Entebbe, and arrangements will be made for their air transportation to South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania,” the SANDF mentioned in a statement released late Friday, (7 February 2025).

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In the meantime, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to travel to Tanzania on Saturday morning, (8 February 2025), where he will convene with other Heads of State and Government at the Joint SADC-EAC Summit to address the ongoing security issues in eastern DRC.