The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced that the remains of the 14 soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be returned to South Africa on Thursday, February 13. The troops tragically lost their lives last month in Goma during clashes with the M23 rebel group.
The repatriation of the soldiers’ remains had been delayed, leaving grieving families struggling with the painful wait for closure. Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed during a heated debate at the National Assembly on Monday that the bodies of the fallen soldiers would be handed over by Thursday. Seven of the soldiers were from Limpopo, three from the Free State, with the rest hailing from the North West, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape.
Minister Motshekga assured that each soldier would be laid to rest with full military honors, acknowledging their sacrifice. Originally scheduled to return last week, delays led to the soldiers’ bodies being transported to the United Nations Logistics Base in Entebbe, Uganda, before being brought to South Africa.
On Wednesday morning, SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini confirmed the date of the official handing-over ceremony and memorial service, which will take place at the Air Force Base Swartkop. The exact times for the events were still to be announced.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by traditional healers regarding the spiritual well-being of the soldiers’ families. Solly Mathebula, a traditional healer from Pretoria, warned that unless the spirits of the fallen soldiers are properly returned to South Africa, it could lead to misfortune and potential violent deaths among their family members. Mathebula, also known as Mkhulu Mahlasela, emphasized the importance of the ritual “Go lata moya” in Sepedi or “Ukulanda umoya” in Zulu, which is performed to ensure the spirits of those who die violently are brought back to their homeland. According to Mathebula, failure to retrieve these spirits could cause unrest within the family, potentially resulting in further tragic deaths.
The soldiers who died in service to their country were:
- Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
- Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
- Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
- Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
- Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
- Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
- Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
- Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
- Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
- Private Peter Jacobus Strydom
- Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
- Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
- Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
- Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
As the community prepares for their return, the nation mourns their loss, and the families remain hopeful that both their physical remains and spirits will finally be brought home.
