S. AFRICAN TROOP DEATHS IN DRC SPARK ANGER, CONCERN

South Africans are demanding their defence minister’s head roll - after 13 of the country’s soldiers deployed to DRC were killed amid allegations they were ill-equipped for their mission. The men died defending the eastern Congolese city of Goma from the onslaught of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Reports have been swirling that South Africa’s troops are short on ammo, and that their combat vehicles are breaking down. Critics of the government, including the Economic Freedom Fighters party, say the deaths point to government incompetence. On Sunday, South Africa’s ambassador to the UN slammed Kigali for atrocities in the DRC, urging the UN Security Council to take 'decisive action.’

Sources:

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/politics/2025-01-26-call-for-angie-motshekgas-head-over-soldiers-deaths-in-drc/

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-27-four-more-dead-sandf-force-in-very-tense-situation-as-m23-overruns-goma/?dm_source=dm_block_grid&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=main

https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/carl-niehaus-insists-defence-minister-angie-motshekga-must-resign-after-sandfs-drc-tragedy-45d5a540-7877-45a6-95d1-eedf7d8712f3

https://www.actionsa.org.za/defence-minister-splurges-r10-4-million-on-travel-while-woefully-underfunded-south-african-soldiers-are-left-to-die-in-drc/

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-27-four-more-dead-sandf-force-in-very-tense-situation-as-m23-overruns-goma/?dm_source=dm_block_grid&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=main