Third Group of SANDF troops returns from DRC mission

A third group of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers is expected to arrive back in the country on Monday afternoon, marking another significant phase in South Africa’s withdrawal from a volatile peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The troops, part of a broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional force, will land at Air Force Base Waterkloof between 3 pm and 5 pm. They are among more than 2,000 SANDF members who were deployed to the DRC to support efforts to combat the M23 rebel group, which has seized key territory in the country’s eastern provinces.

This latest return follows the second batch of soldiers who touched down in South Africa last week, amid mounting instability in the eastern DRC.

The M23 rebels, believed to be backed by foreign interests, have gained control of major urban areas in both North and South Kivu, forcing SADC to reassess and ultimately withdraw its regional military mission.

The SADC mission, launched to support the DRC government and protect civilians, struggled to gain ground against the well-armed and organised M23 movement.

Following the rebel group's recent territorial gains and a lack of decisive international support, the regional bloc announced its decision to pull out.

Upon arrival, the soldiers will be transported to Bloemfontein, where they will undergo a standard demobilisation programme.

The process includes comprehensive health screenings, psychological support services, and debriefing sessions to help ease their reintegration into civilian life.

Military officials emphasised the importance of the reintegration programme, noting the intense physical and emotional toll of the deployment.

“Our soldiers have been operating in a high-stress conflict zone. The demobilisation programme ensures their mental and physical wellbeing is prioritised before they return home to their families,” said SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Andries Mahapa.

Families eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones have gathered in anticipation, with many expressing relief and gratitude for their safe return. “It’s been months of worry and prayer. I just want to hold my husband again,” said Nomsa Mthethwa, whose spouse was part of the returning battalion.

The mission’s end also raises broader questions about the future of regional security operations and South Africa’s role in peacekeeping efforts across the continent. With violence continuing in the DRC and thousands of civilians displaced, regional leaders are under pressure to find new diplomatic and security solutions.

As the SANDF continues to bring its personnel home, attention will now shift to post-deployment care and the long-term impact of the mission.

The Department of Defence has assured the public that all returning troops will receive the necessary support and that lessons learned from the DRC deployment will inform future operations.

The final group of soldiers is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, concluding South Africa’s military involvement in the troubled region, for now.