The 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be repatriated on Thursday 13 February.
This comes after delays in the repatriation process. A hand-over ceremony is expected to take place at Swartkop Air Force Base.
In an interview with eNCA retired SANDF general Mojo Motau let out a relief ahead of this ceremony.
"Finally, our heroes will be coming home. They have served the country and our forces they were brave young men,' he said.
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To date questions around how the soldiers died loom with critiques saying that the members were under-resourced.
Motau emphasised this stating that the soldiers were deployed despite not being prepared to deal with the situation.
As families now await the return of the slain soldiers Motau said they deserve answers to what happened.
This he said will instill confidence in those who are yet to go to the DRC.