Call for military veterans to support their comrades in DRC
A military veteran leader was scathing during a commemmorative military parade on the way South African National Defence Force troops are treated by the government.
Military veterans have been called to support rather than criticise the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Their comrades are in a dire situation and left with low stocks of ammunition and fuel, inadequate equipment and without any air support.
This comes after another South African soldier died in the DRC, bringing the total number of SANDF soldiers killed in the conflict with M23 rebels to 14 since the start of the year.
The troops are part of the Southern African Development Community mission in that country.
“As former soldiers, we need to face the fact that the conditions under which they serve, are different to those we knew.”
This was said by the guest speaker, Brigadier General (retired) Pieter Thirion at the South African Military Intelligence Veterans Association’s Sunrise Memorial Service and wreath-laying ceremony at Klapperkop on Sunday.
The service was held in commemoration of the Annual International Intelligence Services Day on February 5.
Thirion said that the SANDF troops in the DRC “have been abandoned by our leaders”.
The more than 100 veterans attending the service honoured the 14 soldiers who recently passed away in combat with a two-minute silence.
Thirion remarked that the tally of South African soldiers killed in the DRC since 2024 now stands at 20.
“We cannot compare their situation with what we went through during the Border War. We had air support and good surveillance. These soldiers are treated like the stepchildren of our national budget. This is a national disaster. Where is the political will to support the defence force?” asked Thirion.
He remarked that as a group of veterans, they cannot be silent anymore about what is happening.
“The penny has not dropped with our leaders. There are no sufficient reserves. To what extent does lack of procurement play a role? Where is the basic surveillance equipment for the troops? Because of this, the morale of the troops is low. Our soldiers do not trust their leaders. This is one of the reasons why Rwandese forces and the rebel groups have outdone us,” explained Thirion.
He referred to the “insensitive” SANDF leaders who spend “money on vanity products like luxury vehicles for the generals and a helicopter flown up from the Eastern Cape to Pretoria for a golf day”.
“These leaders spent millions of rands on Armed Forces Day while among our troops in the DRC, there is a lack of food,” emphasised Thirion.
He requested the veterans to put their thoughts together to come up with a way to support and recognise the efforts of the troops in the DRC.
“Perhaps it is time to make up ‘Dankie Tannie’ packages again,” said Thirion, referring to support parcels that were sent by supporter groups in South Africa to the troops at the border during the Border War.
The chairman of the service was Bennie Buys with chaplain Reverend Sakkie du Plooy officiating. The piper was Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Eddy Watson with trumpeter Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Strugnell
.
Various dignitaries attended the service and laid wreaths at the foot of the statue at Fort Klapperkop:
– Major General (ret.) Lawrence Smith for the Council for Military Veterans Organisations,
– Major General (ret.) Gert Opperman, President of the SA Infantry Association
– Brigadier General (ret.) André Retief, representing the South African Armour Association
– Councillor Grandi Theunissen representing the Mayor of Tshwane.
The defence attachés, representatives of the United States of America, Japan and France were also present.
Click here to see Roché Vermaak and K9 Wolfi honour animals who passed away during service in the South African forces:
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