DRC mission costs, deaths to be probed - Holomisa

The investigation will include casualties and financial costs.

Holomisa briefed Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Friday on the withdrawal of SANDF troops from the DRC.

The soldiers are part of a regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) force that deployed to the eastern DRC in December 2023 during a resurgence of the M23 armed movement.

SADC decided to end its SAMIDRC mission in mid-March after 17 of its soldiers -- most of them South Africans -- were killed in M23 offensives in January. 

They have been stranded there since.

The group confirmed last week the start of the withdrawal but gave no details.

Holomisa emphasised that transparency and accountability remains top priority for the department, especially in light of recent questions about the troop's role in the volatile region.

"As per standard procedure, the department will establish boards to investigate and report on all aspects of the operation, including any casualties," Holomisa said.

The review process, he added, will begin in earnest once the mission concludes. 

"A full assessment of the operation, including its strategic and operational outcomes, will only be available once the mission concludes.

"These findings are essential to ensuring that we learn and improve with each deployment. Parliament will, in due course, engage on the matter of mortalities. 

"We share in the sorrow of every family and community affected and remain committed to transparency and accountability.

“We also recognise the public’s interest in understanding the financial implications of the deployment and the eventual return of our troops. 

“The Chief of Joint Operations will speak further on projected expenditures and responsibilities for covering these costs," he said.

Holomisa confirmed that while SADC troops are returning home, SANDF forces remain active in the DRC under the United Nations’ MONUSCO framework.

"Our forces remain operational in the DRC under the MONUSCO framework, although the situation on the ground remains fluid. 

"Troops under the SADC Mission are currently being withdrawn," he said.

Holomisa also addressed the reported logistical challenges faced by troops during the deployment, saying the department has taken note of past delays and is committed to improving operational efficiency going forward.

"We are aware of past challenges, particularly logistical delays in troop deployments to the DRC, and are determined not to repeat them.

"Strengthening our systems and operational readiness is a non-negotiable priority," he said.

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