Mission overload: SANDF expands on multiple fronts
The bodies of SANDF members Col. Simon Mukuru-Bobé and Corporal Arven Taban Semono were presented to their families at Waterkloof Air Base on Wednesday, a week after they were killed in a mortar attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). handed over.
Three other members were also injured in the attack.
All five were part of an advance contingent of 250 SANDF personnel forming part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week.
Under this deployment, a 2,900-strong South African contingent will be stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a year at a cost of R2 billion.
Concerns have been raised that soldiers in the DRC are vulnerable and do not appear to be receiving the support they need.
Last week's mortar attack also came when an Oryx helicopter was hit by gunfire, injuring a major and a medic.
In addition to the DRC mission, the SANDF is sending about 1,300 soldiers to Mozambique as part of a separate SADC mission and at least 1,000 soldiers as part of the United Nations operation in the DRC.
It recently emerged that a contract signed between Denel and the Department of Defense to cover the cost of technicians and engineers to maintain the helicopters expired more than four months ago and has not been renewed.
This could jeopardize the capabilities of troops deployed on missions in the DRC and Mozambique.
Domestically, SANDF is often used as a temporary security measure. Around 2,500 troops have been sent to the border, with a further 3,300 forming part of an operation to crack down on illegal miners. Approximately 880 troops are working to protect Eskom power stations and infrastructure.
This Friday's briefing will discuss whether the oversized and under-resourced SANDF continues to fulfill its original mission and what has happened since Bangui, when 13 paratroopers were killed by Seleka forces in the Central African Republic. and whether lessons have been learned. In March 2013.
In-depth writer Mohammad Hussein speaks to military expert Helmoud Roemer Heitmann and African Defense Review director Darren Olivier about the SANDF's capabilities in all aspects.
We also have a submission from Professor Theo Neethling from the University of the Free State, who looks back at the SANDF's continued decline over its 30-year history and how we got here.
Finally, Nyasha Mpani and Dr. Webster Zambala from the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation explain what exactly is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and why, in their view, the deployment of SANDF was necessary. To do.
I hope you feel more enlightened after reading all three posts.
The best,
Vanessa Bunton
opinion editor
South Africa heads to the battlefield noisily, carrying twigs.
Two defense analysts have painted a grim picture of the deployment of South African troops into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, believing that casualties are inevitable and that these operations are irresponsible given the state of South African troops. writes. Muhammad Hussein.
Deploying SADC troops to DRC: Necessary suffering for a noble cause
The impact of continued instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is far-reaching, considering its geographical, economic, and political-strategic implications, and requires a comprehensive and coordinated response to internal and external security threats. It says that more efforts are needed. Nyasha Mpani and Webster Zambara.