Families of 14 SANDF soldiers killed by M23 rebels in DRC speak out, reveal how they were killed during the fight

The families of South African soldiers who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are grappling with grief and frustration as they await the repatriation of their loved ones’ bodies.

Thirteen South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were killed in a fierce battle with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, with a fourteenth soldier succumbing to injuries days later. The soldiers were part of a peacekeeping mission aimed at halting the rebels’ advance towards Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC.

The following is a list of the deceased SANDF soldiers, as provided by SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini:

1. Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
2. Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
3. Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
4. Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
5. Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
6. Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
7. Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
8. Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
9. Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
10. Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
11. Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
12. Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
13. Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
14. Private Peter Jacobus Strydom

The fallen soldiers, hailed as heroes, were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and United Nations’ efforts to bring stability to the war-torn region.

Among the deceased are four soldiers from Limpopo’s Mopani district: Louis Calvin Moagi, Derick Maluleke, Matome Justice Malesa, and Sabati Chokoe. Their families are now preparing to lay them to rest, but the pain of their loss is compounded by unanswered questions and a lack of clarity from the SANDF.

A Father’s Unfulfilled Dreams

Louis Calvin Moagi, from Mararaleng village in Sekororo, was planning to marry his fiancée, Priscilla Ledimo, the mother of his three-year-old daughter, Louisa. Ledimo was devastated when she received the news of Moagi’s death.

“I was pondering a bright future with Louis because of the longevity of our relationship. He was such a great guy every woman would love to have as a husband,” she said.

“We have a young daughter who is now fatherless because of this war. What am I going to tell her when she grows up and asks where her father is? They are so identical, and she will forever remind me of her father.”

A Sister’s Anguish

Derick Maluleke’s family is struggling to come to terms with his sudden death. His sister, Goodness Maluleke, recalled the moment she learned of his passing. “I was asking myself anxiously about the wellbeing of my brother the whole week as I was following the developments in DRC. Then last week Friday, some men wearing military regalia arrived with the sad news,” she said.

The manner in which the news was delivered left the family reeling. “The way they told us about my brother’s passing was like a joke. However, moments later, it sunk in that my brother is no more. They told me that there was a bomb explosion and Derick was among the casualties. Without giving us more details, they left, and no one has ever communicated with us again. We are in mourning and need closure on this matter,” she added.

A Reluctant Hero

Matome Justice Malesa, from Mashishimale village in Phalaborwa, had served in the defence force since 2005. According to his family, he was reluctant to deploy to the DRC.

“Malesa was not excited about this deployment. He wasn’t interested in going to DRC as he only applied just two weeks before the deadline. It was like he knew that the war was going to have catastrophic consequences. He reluctantly agreed to take up arms to go and fight for peace. Now he leaves behind his wife and three children,” said family spokesperson Mpho Monyela.

Malesa had reportedly expressed his exhaustion with being away on military assignments, longing for stability and time with his family.

A Volatile Battlefield

The SANDF confirmed that the soldiers were killed during a pitched battle with M23 rebels, who had launched a full-scale attack aimed at capturing Goma.

“The M23 hostile forces had launched a full-scale attack on our troops with the intention of taking over Goma but were unable to advance due to the heroic resistance put up by our gallant fighters,” the SANDF said in a statement.

Malawian, Uruguayan soldiers also killed Before South Africa's military confirmed the number of its dead, the Malawi Defence Force said three of its soldiers had been killed. "We confirm the loss of three of our courageous soldiers who were part of the SADC Mission in the DRC," said spokesman Emmanuel Mlelemba.

"These soldiers fell in the line of duty during an encounter with the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC. As the situation remains volatile, further details will be shared later," he added.

A Uruguayan member of the UN peacekeeping force was also killed while four others were wounded, Uruguay's military announced.

Repatriation Delays

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said preparations for the repatriation of the soldiers’ bodies are underway but could not provide a specific date due to the volatile situation in the DRC.

“It will only take place as soon as all processes around preparing the bodies in terms of postmortems have been completed. I would not be able to give a date as to when they will be back home because of the volatile situation in the Congo,” he said.

The delay has added to the families’ anguish, as they await the return of their loved ones for burial. The fallen soldiers are expected to be accorded heroes’ funerals, but for now, their families are left to mourn without closure.

A Call for Answers

The families of the deceased soldiers are demanding answers from the SANDF. They want to know the exact circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths and why more support was not provided during the battle.

“We need clarity. We need to know what happened to our brothers, our sons, our husbands. They went to fight for peace, and now they are gone. We deserve answers,” said one family member.

The deaths of the 14 SANDF soldiers in the DRC have left a void in the lives of their families and communities. As they await the repatriation of their loved ones’ bodies, they are united in their grief and their demand for accountability.

These soldiers, who bravely fought to bring peace to a troubled region, will be remembered as heroes.