Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
Today, the EFF Gauteng PETF Convener, Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, is expected to pay a visit to the mourning family of SANDF Soldier LANCE CORPORAL IRVIN THABANG SEMONO, who tragically lost his life in a mortar incident in the Democratic Republic of Congo on February 14th, 2024.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has suffered its first casualties as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), with LANCE CORPORAL IRVIN THABANG SEMONO being one of the soldiers killed in the mortar attack. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that on February 14th at approximately 13h30, a mortar bomb landed inside one of the South African Contingent military bases, resulting in the tragic loss of two soldiers and injuries to three others.
This devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the SANDF and the entire community. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla, the Acting Secretary for Defence, Thobekile Gamede, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have all expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and have wished the injured members a speedy recovery.
In response to this tragedy, the leadership of the SANDF, including the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have expressed their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and conveyed their well wishes for the injured members’ recovery.
The South African contingent is part of SAMIDRC, deployed to support and assist the government of the DRC in its efforts to bring peace, security, and stability to the region. This mission, authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa, involved the deployment of 2,900 SANDF members at a cost of R2 billion.
