South African
South African soldiers await unpaid DRC deployment allowances as SANDU threatens protest action, with nearly 2,000 troops still owed payments from their mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting calls for swift resolution from unions, parliament, and opposition parties.
The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) says nearly 2,000 soldiers are awaiting allowances owed to soldiers who were deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [0] [1] [2] SANDU called on the South African National Defence Force to settle the allowances or face possible protest action. The union briefed the media in Pretoria on Friday. In December 2023, President Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of nearly 3,000 troops under Operation Thiba, SAMIDRC as part of a regional force to assist the DRC government in stabilising the eastern region amid renewed conflict with the M23 rebel group. [3] [4] The troops returned in May/June this year and subsequently raised concern over unpaid allowances.
SANDU said the allowances, which are 25 years old, must be relooked at and be adjusted according to the inflation rate. Currently the daily danger allowance is R19.63c, special danger allowance is R29.39c, standby allowance is R80.75c, while the deprivation allowance is R761.48c. The union has proposed the daily danger allowance to be R1,500, special danger allowance to be R2,500, standby allowance to be R1,000 and the deprivation allowance upped to R1,500 per day. [0] [2] SANDU says two meetings were held with the SANDF and both parties agreed that the outstanding allowances would be paid as soon as possible. It was also agreed that negotiations and queries surrounding the calculation will dealt within the Military Bargaining Council.
SANDU Secretary General Pikkie Greef said despite numerous attempts to meet the minister to help resolve the impasse the, little has been achieved. “The concerns raised by affected members are real — putting up with delays in payment, being seemingly ignored when you raise concerns is unacceptable. SANDU has been patient, we have tried to follow every channel. We come in peace, with proposals. You cannot have negotiation with stonewalls or silence.” Greef said some members have called for an industrial action, however there is still room for negotiations. “There is talk among some of protest action. We don’t dismiss that feeling, it comes from being ignored. But let SANDU be clear our first and strongest tool must be talking. Protest is every soldier’s right but it must be a last resort.”
In response, the SANDF said all allowances have been paid to the soldiers and that soldiers who still have personal queries regarding their allowances should contact the SANDF hotline for assistance. “The SANDF takes note of the statement by SANDU regarding the SAMIDRC allowances. We assure our members that this matter is receiving attention and will be fully discussed with SANDU at the Military Bargaining Council.” said spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala “We continue to urge our soldiers to use the hotline, WhatsApp line, and email platforms to raise queries so that they can be addressed promptly and through the correct channels, as expected of a disciplined force.” [4] [15]
The deployment, which lasted about 15 to 17 months, saw soldiers facing harsh conditions in the eastern DRC, where they supported efforts to counter the M23 rebels. Many troops have expressed frustration, claiming they are owed at least R600,000 each in allowances, with some expecting R100,000 per month but receiving only around R58,000. [5] [6] [12] [14] This has led to talks of a march to the Union Buildings, though SANDU stresses negotiation first.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans has weighed in, with chairperson Dakota Legoete calling for swift action. On 15 September 2025, Legoete said the Department of Defence must ensure timely payments, noting, “The Minister of Defence, together with her Deputy Ministers, must guarantee that soldiers receive what is rightfully due to them. These men and women endured immense hardships during their mission on foreign soil. To return home and face further struggles in claiming their allowances is unacceptable. We call on the leadership of the Defence Force to act swiftly, ensure timely payments and resolve all outstanding issues.” [13] He warned that a march by soldiers would not reflect well on the SANDF and urged stakeholders to find a fair solution.
The Democratic Alliance has demanded that an internal SANDF investigation into the unpaid allowances be made public. DA MP Nicholas Gotsell highlighted financial mismanagement, pointing to R813 million allocated for remuneration, with R173.5 million diverted to Operation Prosper supporting the SA Police Service. He criticised Minister Angie Motshekga for contradictions and avoiding accountability, saying the numbers don’t add up and excuses are piling up. [7] [15] [16] The DA has escalated the matter to Parliament’s presiding officers.
An earlier meeting in June 2025 between SANDF and SANDU was described as cordial, with both sides committing to resolve the issues through further talks. SANDF cautioned against public statements that could cause misinformation and affect morale. [9] [14] However, the union accuses the Defence Department of stonewalling negotiations.
Repatriation of remaining troops and equipment continues, with airlifts from Lubumbashi and Kinshasa to Pretoria observed since 14 September 2025. This follows a reinforcement of 700 to 800 troops in February 2025.   The SAMIDRC mission faced challenges, including being outmatched by M23 rebels, and the DR
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