Three members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were killed during an exchange of mortar fire between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebel militia yesterday near Goma Airport, where the SANDF base is located. A fourth died from injuries sustained last week.

According to The Witness, the soldiers were caught in the crossfire, and their deaths were confirmed in a statement by the head of communications for the Department of Defence, Simphiwe Dlamini, this morning.

Last week, nine SANDF members were killed and several others injured during clashes with the rebels.

“The SANDF is also saddened to announce that one of our members who was injured during the battle with M23 rebels over the past three days later succumbed to injuries. The rest of the injured members continue to receive medical attention at the Level 3 Hospital in Goma,” said Dlamini.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, along with Deputy Ministers Major General Bantu Holomisa and Richard Hlophe, acting secretary for defence Dr Thobekile Gamede, and SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the broader defence community.

In a separate statement, SANDF addressed a widely circulated video on social media claiming that SANDF forces surrendered to M23 rebels.

“We wish to set the record straight. The footage in question depicts a white flag raised, which is an outcome of discussions between the opposing fighting forces to agree on a truce to allow M23 to recover their dead and injured in the vicinity of our base. This will also open the route for our troops to access medical facilities. This is common practice in any war.”

Dlamini urged the public not to be alarmed by the video, adding: “Our troops continue to operate with resolve, courage, and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.”

First and foremost, South African soldiers who lived through and experienced apartheid shouldn’t be the ones coming to fight a movement that is fighting for basic human rights—the right to exist and live. Mandela and Mbeki have, for a long time, explained the plight of the… pic.twitter.com/B7QKJdFq8A

— Noel Kambanda (@NoelKambanda) January 28, 2025