Troops return from DRC mission

A second batch of 257 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday following the termination of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). A third flight was expected today, reports Defence Web. The SANDF said the phased return was part of the SANDF’s planned withdrawal from the mission area. ‘Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services.’ The first 249 troops arrived on Friday evening on a flight delayed for hours. Director Defence Corporate Communication Rear Admiral (JG) Prince Tshabalala said the SADC was organising logistics around the return of SAMIDRC troops, including those from the other two troop contributing countries (Malawi and Tanzania). The repatriation process has generated criticism from many quarters.

Chris Hattingh, South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) defence and military veterans spokesman, said the event in totality was another example of poor SANDF planning and ‘a national embarrassment’. ‘The entire ceremony turned into a public embarrassment, with soldiers stranded and their supposed heroes’ welcome left in ruins. It is a sign of deeper dysfunction within the Department of Defence. Repeated logistic failures, both abroad and at home, raise serious questions about leadership and competence at the highest levels. Tshabalala said it was ‘a bit unfair to suggest any operational shortcomings on the part of the SANDF when, in fact, we had no control over the logistical constraints presented by the service provider’. The DA is calling for a full parliamentary report detailing the planning and procurement of repatriation logistics, the causes of delays in troop and equipment movement from Goma, DRC, the full cost of rerouting and VIP arrangements, the status and safety of remaining SANDF personnel and assets in the DRC, and what lessons, if any, have been learned from this mission’s collapse. According to Defence Web, the remaining troops, said to number 2 000, serving with the now terminated SAMIDRC are due to return home by month-end. Equipment is being transported from Tanzania by sea and is expected to arrive later.