Economic Freedom Fighters Member of Parliament Carl Niehaus has called for the immediate withdrawal of SANDF troops and demands that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga steps down or be removed following the death of nine soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

HARSH REALITY

Niehaus has also called for president Cyril Ramaphosa to be held responsible for this tragedy ."It is a tragedy to young people who lost their young lives. It is a tragedy that visited the families of these young people and our whole country. The SANDF commander in chief, defence minister and military vets have to be held responsible for this tragedy."

He said the EFF have warned, for a long time, that the conditions which the SANDF troops are being deployed to in the DRC are totally unacceptable.

"On the 15th of February last year Malema spoke in a press conference and called for the immediate return of all our soldiers deployed in the DRC because they are sent out there without the necessary provisions, armour and without the necessary air cover. Our warnings have become prophetic words of this harsh reality because our troops were sent out there to die."

A LIAR

He said just five days before this tragic incident Minister Motshekga went on national TV and said the SANDF is ready for any occurrence and can handle anything. 

He emphasised that the incident occurred while Motshekga was in the DRC for two days but has since failed to issue a formal statement except for what has been said by the SANDF.

"She was lying- she was talking to us while this tragedy had already started, when our troops were already under attack and then subsequently she went to the DRC and withdrew some of the troops that were there to fight with their fellow comrades to protect and defend them against the attacks of M23 rebels for her own self protection."