Presidency Denies SANDF Is in DRC To Protect Cyril Ramaphosa’s Mineral Interests

• President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya slammed reports that his mining interests are the reason for SANDF's deployment to the DRC
• This was after Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused Ramaphosa of using the South African military for his benefit
• Magwenya retorted that South Africa has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo for peacekeeping missions for decades

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.

PARLIAMENT — President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya defended the president after Rwandan president Paul Kagame accused Cyril Ramphosa of using the South African National Defence Force deployment to protect his mineral interests.

What did Paul Kagame say about Ramaphosa?

In an explosive interview with CNN, Kagame says he has no idea whether his army is in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He said people who are benefitting from gold are South Africa and other Europeans making a noise about it. Kagame's spokesperson Yolande Makolo also took a swipe at Ramaphosa and reiterated Kagame's accusation.

Read also

Bodies of slain 14 SANDF members to be repatriated, South Africans heartbroken

What did the presidency say?

Magwenya addressed the media in Parliament, Cape Town about the State of the Nation Address which will take place on 6 February. He said that South Africa has been involved in peacekeeping initiatives in Africa for 20 years.

What you need to know about the SANDF in DRC

• President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed 2900 troops to the DRC on a peacekeeping mission in January 2024
• A month later, two soldiers were killed when the M23 rebels launched a mortar attack on an SANDF base
• 13 SANDF soldiers died in January this year when the M23 ambushed the SANDF, and a 14th died in hospital

South Africans don't believe him

Netizens commenting on @ewnupdates's X tweet suspected Magwenya was lying.

ZiwundwaFort-Cox said:

"Angie fudged the question of whether he and any family members and friends had then mining interest there?"

Read also

Paul Kagame accuses South Africa of having mineral interests in the DRC, sparks criticism online

Julie Cloete said:

"If he dismisses the claims, someone needs to get to the bottom of the DRC issue."

AP Wiliams said:

"Which, if any of Ramaphosa's associates and friends have mining interests in the DRC is a question the media, if they were any good, would strive to answer."

Mario Vivieri said:

"Well, well, well, his brother-in-law is big in mining."

Julius Malema, Helen Zille call for SANDF to be recalled from DRC

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Economic Freedom Fighters' president Julius Malema called for the SANDF forces to be recalled from the DRC. Helen Zille agreed with his statements.

Malema launched a scathing criticism of Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and called for the army to return home. Helen Zille reposted his tweet and said she agreed with him.

Source: Briefly News