LIMPOPO – Greater Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha has praised Derick Maluleke, a 34-yearold soldier who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while on a peacekeeping mission.

Maluleke, along with 13 other soldiers who recently lost their lives, was part of a peacekeeping mission deployed there since March of last year. Speaking at the Maluleke’s family home, the mayor described Derick as a hero who died fighting for peace. “He was not some thug caught in the crossfire while committing a crime. He was serving his country, working for all of us,” said the mayor.

She further explained Derick’s presence in the DRC. “When a war breaks out in another country, you can’t simply relax and think you’re safe. Tomorrow, it could spread to your own country. This is why South African soldiers needed to be part of the peacekeeping force there, to promote peace across the African continent,” she said.

The mayor said a soldier’s work is difficult. “You must understand that when soldiers are deployed, it is not office work. Soldiers are usually stationed in the bush or other challenging environments,” she said.

She said that the Mopani district suffered the most losses in the Congo incident, “We have three casualties, from Giyani, Phalaborwa and Sekororo, so this is very painful for all of us.”

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Meanwhile, Derick’s brother, Buza Maluleke, said the family is in mourning. He said they have not received further information from the government. “Apart from informing us about his death, no further details have been provided,” he said.

Buza appealed for assistance from the government, saying that since the news of his brother’s passing broke, families from various parts of the country have been arriving at the household to mourn with them.

“These people sleep, bath, and eat here,” he said. “We have now run out of food, and we cannot chase them away because it is our tradition to support each other in times of grief.”

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Buza made a heartfelt plea to the Giyani mayor, requesting food parcels to help sustain the mourning families. “When I say we are hungry, I mean literally. I’m not joking,” he added. “Now, with all the uncertainty surrounding when our loved one will be brought back, we look at more difficult days ahead,” he said.

The deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the DRC is part of South Africa’s commitment to regional and international peace and security efforts. They are part of the regional force operating under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), a regional force mandated to support the DRC government in its efforts to achieve peace and stability, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

Additionally, they are also part of the United Nations peacekeeping force known as the United Nations Organisation for Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco). Monusco’s mission is to protect civilians, support the political process, and promote human rights and the rule of law in the DRC.