‘If required, we will do it again': SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya welcomes troops from DRC mission
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
Jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane on Sunday, where they were welcomed by the SANDF top brass led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya.
The SANDF members arrived in a chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in the evening of Sunday, where they individually met and shook hands with the military leadership.
In high spirits, the SANDF members were singing and dancing as they queued to meet Maphwanya. Afterwards, they were assembled in a building where Maphwanya addressed them, before the troops left for demobilisation in Bloemfontein.
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The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
'Some of you, when we met in Goma (city in DRC) you were saying this old man is going to leave us here. I heard it. Now you are back home, welcome back home. I am smiling because I am happy. I came to salute you, and I will continue to salute you for the good work that you have done.
'Your stories are better told by those who were on the other side of the barrel, because they know, they felt it. They are the ones that attested, so be proud of what you were doing. If we are required to do so, we will do it again,' Maphwanya addressed the uniformed troops, with the majority of the soldiers responding: 'Yes sir'.
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'If we are required to do so, we will do it again, and I will go with you,' Maphwanya said to applause and cheers from the troops.
On Sunday, IOL reported that the second contingent of 257 South African troops coming from a mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was arriving at the Air Force Base Waterkloof.
The SANDF announced the arrival of the second group of soldiers returning from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).
SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala said a third group is also expected to return to South Africa on Monday afternoon.
SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
'This phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,' said Tshabalala.
On Friday night, IOL reported that videos shared by the defence ministry showed soldiers in uniform dancing and chanting on arrival at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, welcomed by airbase staff with cheers and fist-bumps.
The troops were deployed under a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission sent to the war-torn country in December 2023 to help restore peace and security in the region.
But the SADC said in March it would end its military mission in the mineral-rich area after 17 of its soldiers were killed.
AFP reported that earlier this year, fighting in the region erupted once more when the Rwandan-backed M23 force seized large swathes of DRC's north and south Kivu provinces -- both of which border Rwanda.
The SANDF top brass, led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya on Sunday night welcomed a contingent of 257 jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
Last month, Maphwanya provided clarity on the phased withdrawal. He explained that the movement of personnel and logistics started on April 29, 2025, with the departure of the first group from eastern DRC via road through Rwanda to Tanzania.
He reassured the nation that most logistical equipment will be transported by sea from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to South Africa.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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