Cape Town - At a solemn ceremony to mark the return of the remains of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members on Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his “profound and deepest” sympathies to the families of those who were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently.

“They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent, Africa. They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless,” the president said.

Ramaphosa also extended condolences on behalf of the South African government and people to the families and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi for the loss of their soldiers.

“Tonight we stand here with heavy hearts. Our nation is in mourning for these brave souls who lost their lives in defence of our brothers and sisters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Ramaphosa said the SANDF is for the brave, for the proud.

“We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home. We must fulfil our duty to complete their mission.”

He thanked the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of the fallen troops to their families, as well as the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community and other governments for their assistance.

“This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile.

“This solemn occasion is a stark reminder of the great cost of building peace, often paid in the lives of our finest. And yet peace is an ideal for which we will forever strive.”

The president said as a troop contributing country to the SADC Mission in the DRC and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa remains firmly committed to supporting all processes to bring this terrible conflict to an end.

“We are encouraged by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which resolved to prioritise a political solution to the crisis in the eastern DRC,” Ramaphosa said.

He added that South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, for a cessation of hostilities and for all the warring parties to resume inclusive negotiations.

“As Africans, we are one people. When one part of Africa bleeds, we feel its pain. The Congolese people cry out for protection, for an end to war and for dignity. The gallant soldiers we receive home today answered that call.”

He urged the families to take comfort that they were heroes.

Their work in the DRC was not just about maintaining order. It was about building bridges, fostering understanding and creating pathways to lasting peace, Ramaphosa said.

He reiterated that the country will not weaken in the resolve to realise the vision of an Africa free from war and conflict; an Africa free of poverty and underdevelopment and an Africa at peace with itself and the world.

“The achievement of this vision is the most fitting tribute we can pay to our fallen heroes and the greatest honour to their memory,” the president said.

The fallen soldiers are: Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe Corporal Matome Justice Malesa Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe Rifleman Derrick Maluleke Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe Private Peter Jacobus Strydom

Cape Argus