Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s (FTLM) mayor, Eddie Maila, has paid his condolences to the family of the late Lance Corporal Moffat Tseke Molapo (53). Maila visited the family on February 5 at Moroke in Burgersfort.

Molapo is one of the 14 SANDF soldiers who died while on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He died some time during a two-day clash with M23 rebels near the city of Goma in the eastern DRC.

Maila led a delegation to visit the family. He said he observed government protocols as the matter is of national interest.

He saw it befitting that the municipality visited the family to pay respect and condolences to the family of the fallen hero who served the nation with pride and patriotism.

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Maila said the manager in the Office of the Mayor has been assigned to be part of the preparatory committee dealing with logistics for the funeral.

He has urged all the residents of the municipality to lend their support to and pray for the family to overcome the tragedy that has fallen upon them.

Maila contributed two cows and groceries.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, February 4, the SANDF’s chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, told parliament the bodies of the 14 soldiers were scheduled to be repatriated on Wednesday, February 5.

He and defence minister Angie Motshekga were briefing MPs in the joint defence committee about the deaths and injuries to SA soldiers fighting with M23 rebels.