Government says its DRC mission was successful, South Africans disagree

• The Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga said the south African National Defence Force's (SANDF) mission was a success
• She spoke during a press briefing on 4 May 2025 shortly after the Southern African Development Community began withdrawing from the Democratic Republic of Congo
• South Africans laughed at her insistence and many considered the mission a failure in light of M23's inroads into the DRC

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests and immigration in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

PRETORIA — South Africans bashed Defence Minister Angie Motshekga after she said that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was a success.

Angie Motshekga on SANDF withdrawal

According to SABC News, Motshekga spoke during a press briefing in Pretoria on 4 May 2025. The SANDF confirmed on 3 May that the withdrawal of troops from the DRC has commenced. The army confirmed that the withdrawal is happening in phases, and the first phase began on 29 April.

Motshekga congratulated member states of the Southern African Mission to the DRC (SAMIDRC). She said the leadership operated under very difficult conditions. She said that other nations, including South Africa, were able to intervene to make sure that the DRC and M23 were willing to talk to each other.

SANDF troops began their withdrawal in late April after senior military representatives of the SADC nations' armies met with military leaders of the DRC and M23. They resolved that the SAMIDRC troops will withdraw, on the condition that they repair the Goma Airport, which took damage during an ambush attack.

What you need to know about the DRC deployment

• Injured SANDF members returned home from deployment for treatment in February, and two of them reportedly fell pregnant in the DRC

President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out that the withdrawal of troops did not signal a sign of defeat, and South Africans did not believe him

• The military leaders of SADC met with M23 and DRC leaders and discussed a withdrawal of troops from the region
• This was after Motshekga confirmed that preparations were underway to bring SANDF troops back from the DRC

South Africans not impressed

Netizens commenting on SABC News' Facebook post snubbed Motshekga and the government.

Victor Rasha said:

"That defeat in the DRC has indeed belittled our SANDF's reputation."

Mlava Era said;

"They surrendered. Don't mislead the nation."

Mncedisi Eric said:

"On the international stage we failed, and we are weak."

Zolile Jacobs said:

"You can't admit to the nation that you failed. Even if I was in a position of authority overseeing what has happened and I had to spread the message, I'd definitely push a narrative of positivity."

Fanie Meyer said:

"Typical of them. Cannot acknowledge the truth. They say the same about their leadership."

Cyril Ramaphosa officiates handover of 14 slain SANDF soldiers

In a related article, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the return of the remains of the 14 SANDF soldiers who died in the DRC. The soldiers died during an ambush attack on Goma Airport.

Ramaphosa extended his and the government's condolences during the handover ceremony. He also said he was hopeful that the summit between SADC and the East Africa Community met to attempt to resolve the conflict in the DRC.

Source: Briefly News