Johannesburg – As families across South Africa grieve the loss of 14 SANDF soldiers killed in combat in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a complex situation is unfolding, involving both cultural beliefs surrounding the repatriation of spirits and logistical challenges in bringing the bodies home.
Mkhulu Nsingiza, a historian and student of Credo Mutwa Afrikan Philosophy, has emphasised the urgency of following an African spiritual timeline. "It is vital that the rituals be done to free the spirits of our departed soldiers," he said.
Nsingiza explained that August 23rd marks the closing of the African calendar year, a time when the universal womb is believed to birth new souls and receive those who have passed.
"The rituals are important for the cleansing of the soul before it transitions. If such a ritual is not done, according to African belief, the soul will never find peace and will wander forever," he told Sunday World. He reassured families that even if they miss the August closing, the ritual can still be performed at a later time.
Professor Sylvester Hlati, a respected healer and president of the SADC Unified Ancestors Traditional Practices, echoed Nsingiza's sentiments, cautioning the government against neglecting the spiritual repatriation process. "It is very important, from an African perspective, that when someone dies far from home – especially our soldiers who were slain on the battlefield – spirits are fetched," said Hlati. He explained that the spirits of the deceased must be retrieved from the site of their death to prevent them from becoming restless. "Failure to perform this sacred duty could lead to families dealing with umdliwa – a restless spirit – resulting in misfortune and spiritual disturbances."
Hlati acknowledged that beliefs vary. "Some are Christian, some are Muslim but in African tradition and spirituality, it must be done. The families must be present to perform the ritual of collecting the spirit. They must inform the deceased: ‘We are here to take you home.’ Only a knowledgeable traditional practitioner can guide them on how to do this properly." He cautioned that each spirit requires a unique approach, and that family members may experience nightmares if spirits are not properly repatriated. "A soldier who dies a violent death cannot be left in a foreign land without closure."
However, not all families feel equipped or safe enough to travel to the DRC for such rituals. Mpho Monyela, spokesperson for the family of corporal Matome Justice Malesa from Phalaborwa, said, "Going there is out of the question. We won’t feel safe in that zone where our brother was brutally killed. All we need is for SANDF to repatriate the body so that we can start with funeral arrangements. We are in mourning, and the fetching of the spirit is not a priority.”
It was unclear on Friday afternoon exactly how the repatriation was taking place, but it appears the remains were being removed from Goma, through Rwanda to Uganda and then to Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa.
It is understood that the SA government was firmly opposed to the remains travelling through Rwanda and particularly through the country’s capital of Kigali. Details of the route could not be confirmed. The SANDF said it would issue a statement soon.
SA’s objections to the remains being repatriated via Rwanda and, particularly Kigali, were based on a desire not to give Rwandan President Paul Kagame a propaganda opportunity to very visibly demonstrate his victory over South African and regional forces. The Rwanda Defence Force heavily backs the M23 rebels, who killed the 18 southern African soldiers in fighting near Goma between 23 and 27 January.
Most of the SANDF soldiers, as well as the three Malawians and one Tanzanian, who died, were deployed in eastern DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in DRC (SAMIDRC). Their mandate was to neutralise negative armed groups such as the M23 which have been destabilising the area for years.
Darren Olivier, director at the African Defence Review, posted on Friday about the speculation on social media that SA had been resisting repatriation of the soldiers via Kigali and the posts from some pro-Rwandan commentators that the M23 had treated the trapped SA forces. “Arguably, forcing the use of Kigali as an exit is blackmail for optics, as there’s no reason Rwanda & M23 could not re-open Goma Airport & allow repatriation via that route. Holding foreign contingents hostage & giving them just enough food & water to survive is not benevolence.”
