Remains of fallen SA soldier to be handed to family
The mortal remains of South African soldier Moalosi Mokhothu, who died in a gunfight with rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month, is expected to officially be handed over to his family following a special military parade at Airforce Base Waterklooof in Pretoria on Friday.
In a statement, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said the rifleman’s remains will arrive in the morning with a ceremony planned for later in the afternoon.
“The Acting Chief of the South African National Defence Force, Lieutenant General Zimpande Msimang, accompanied by other senior officials of the SANDF will receive the mortal remains in ceremony symbolising the military practice of receiving a hero who fell in the battlefield,” the statement said.
“The remains of Rifleman Mokhothu are expected to arrive in the country in the morning with the receival of mortal remains ceremony scheduled to commence at 16h00 at 28 Squadron hangar at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.”
Mokhothu, who was part of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Congo, died while two other South African soldiers were wounded when rebels attacked the South African base in the Kivu province.
“Mokhothu did not only volunteer to serve in the SANDF to protect the Republic of South Africa, its territorial integrity and its people but went beyond that call of duty to give his life in pursuit of peace and stability in the continent.”