The South African National Defence Force regrets to announce an incident that claimed lives of its two members deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 29 February 2024
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) regrets to announce that two of its members currently deployed as part of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) have died.
The incident occurred when one of them shot and killed the other with their service weapon before turning the weapon on themselves with fatal consequences.
The SANDF has convened a Board of Inquiry to work with the MONUSCO command to investigate the incident and the circumstances that led to it.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon Thandi Modise has expressed her shock at the incident.
The members’ remains will be repatriated to South Africa in due course. All families have been informed of the unfortunate incident.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon Thandi Modise, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla, the Acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya express condolences to the families of the deceased.
Enquiries: Colonel Selinah Rawlins
(Acting Director Defence Corporate Communication)
Cell: 083 410 1177
