Bodies of SANDF soldiers killed in DRC repatriated

PRETORIA - The bodies of two SANDF soldiers killed in a mortar strike in the Democratic Republic of Congo were repatriated on Wednesday.

South Africa's decision to contribute troops to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission has been denounced by the main opposition as a mistake.

But the defence minister defended the deployment, labelling the claims of the Democratic Alliance "a blue lie" during a ceremony at an air force base on the outskirts of Pretoria where the bodies arrived.

"When membership of the national defence force are sent out to any mission... their preparedness is checked," Defence Minister Thandi Modise said.

Family members sat quietly as they watched the coffins of their loved ones, covered by the national flag, carried by SANDF comrades.

Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono were killed a week ago when a mortar landed inside one of the South African contingent's bases near the eastern city of Goma.

"We are taking each day as it comes, as difficult as it is, grieving," Bonga Bobe, the brother of one of the deceased told media on the sidelines of the ceremony, adding: "He had so much love".

Bobo also added his family was "still happy" with the support they were receiving from the government "so far".

The deaths mark the first fatalities for South Africa since it began deploying 2,900 soldiers in eastern DR Congo in mid-December.

They were sent as part of a southern Africa regional force alongside soldiers from Tanzania and Malawi, tasked with helping DRC government forces fight M23 rebels.