LIMPOPO – The family of the fallen soldier, Louis Calvin Moagi (28) from Morareleng village in Ga Sekororo, Maruleng, are heartbroken after learning that he was killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Louis was a member of a peacekeeping force in the city of Goma when the South African troops were attacked by a rebel group. In total 14 South African soldiers fell during the attack of which three are from the Mopani district.

The other soldiers are Derick Maluleke of Giyani and Justice Malesa from Phalaborwa. Louis joined the SA National Defence Force in 2018 and was part of a peacekeeping force that was deployed in Mozambique from 2022 to 2024.

Monageng Moagi, the family spokesperson, said they are still in disbelief. “We did not expect this, we expected him to return after the mission,” he told the Herald.

Read more: Family mourns loss of Corporal in DRC battle

He said the family was visited by two defence force staff members on Saturday evening with the news of his passing.

“Not much was shared about the combat or where he was stationed,” he said. “Louis was energetic, loving, a hard worker and a peacemaker. From a very young age, he wanted to be in the military, inspired by a family member who was in the military.”

Louis passed Gr 12 with a bachelor’s pass and obtained an N4 electrical engineering qualification from a private college in Polokwane. After he was recruited by the military, he started his training in 2018.

“He did not share his experiences and never wanted us to know what happened. The last time we saw him was in February 2024. As a family, we are very proud of him as he represented the country proudly as one of the peacekeepers in the DRC.

“He did what he always wanted as a child, so he achieved his calling. I want him to be remembered as a peaceful person, that is why he did not hesitate when he was called to go to the DRC,” he added.

According to SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini, the M23 rebel group, a hostile force, launched a full-scale attack on the South African troops to take over Goma. “They were unable to advance due to the heroic resistance put up by our fighters. “Our forces were not only able to halt the M23 advancement but were able to push them back.”