Families prepare for the return of fallen SANDF soldiers
Cape Town - It is a bittersweet moment which the families of the 14 SANDF soldiers killed in the DRC have been praying for, as they prepare for their loved ones bodies to arrive back on South African soil this week.
Ordinary citizens have also planned a wreath laying and candlelight vigil at the Castle of Good Hope on Friday.
Relatives of Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola, Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi, Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe, Corporal Matome Justice Malesa, Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani, Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo, Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo, Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi, Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe, Rifleman Derrick Maluleke, Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele, Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi, Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe, Private Peter Jacobus Strydom will engage with the high-ranking constituents of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) this week in preparation for their bodies to officially arrive back home and will meet in Pretoria.
Over the past two weeks, families have been receiving grief counselling sessions by psychologists appointed by the SANDF.
It is also understood that 15 family members of each family will be allowed access to obtain their belongings in which accommodation and travelling will be provided for.
The Cape Argus was also informed that the families will be flying to Pretoria, with the daunting task of identifying the bodies and a memorial is expected to be held.
For the family Staff Sergeant Cola, it will be a relief to have his body back on home soil but was also heart wrenching.
“This is what we as a family have been praying for,” said Cola’s family yesterday.
“We thank God for answering our prayers for bringing him back home. We have been having prayer services and this has been our wishes.”
The father of three from Lankloof in the Eastern Cape, was a dedicated family man who cared for both his community and family and often recruited and inspired young men to join the army.
During a previous interview with the Cape Argus , the family shared their trauma and loss.
The Cape Argus spoke with a colleague of Cola and Strydom, Moagi, who shared the bond they had.
“We as 2011 intake are crushed and very saddened by the quick passing of our beloved colleague and brother Old Pieter Strydom. Strydom was loving, down to earth and so humble,” she said.
“We will always remember you for the beautiful person you were. I still remember your words from November 2022 in Lohatla that you said ‘Sister, I just want to deploy to DRC once so that I can give my wife and children a better life’. And there you lose your life in DRC.”
Cape Town resident, Kimberleigh Alkilani, who is in the process of registering her NPO, Donateum, called on South Africans to join the mass memorial, wreath laying and candle light ceremony at the Castle of Good Hope on Friday.
“Our hearts are so sore for the soldiers who have lost their lives and that we appreciate each and every soldier who protects this country,” she said.
“And as a nation we come together as communities to bow our heads in prayer for our fallen heroes and that they will never be forgotten. There will be a prayer and candle lighting too for the soldiers and the community could lay flowers or cards for the soldiers.”
The soldiers were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC.
When rebel group M23 announced it had taken over the DRC's eastern city of Goma, scores were killed, including the South African soldiers.
Last week, the SANDF announced that they had encountered delays in the movement of the remains of the deceased soldiers from the DRC to the UN Logistics Base in Entebbe, Uganda.
The movement was conducted by the United Nations and the bodies were to be prepared for transportation by air to South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania.
IOL also reported that the National Assembly would on Monday hold an urgent debate about the fallen soldiers.
The death of the soldiers triggered fury in South Africa with many political parties, calling for them to be returned home.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, General Rudzani Maphwanya, including SANDF leadership appeared in Parliament last week and faced questions and denied the troops had run out of ammunition and food.