The bodies of 14 South African National Defence Force soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo finally landed in the country last night. Over the weekend, the bodies were transported from the DRC to the United Nations Logistics Base in Entebbe, Uganda.

HOME AT LAST

The memorial service of the fallen soldiers will be held this evening. The service, coupled with the government's handover ceremony of the remains to the families, is set to take place at the Swartkops Airforce Base in Pretoria. Speaking at the National Assembly debate on the SANDF troops' participation in the DRC last week, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said seven of the soldiers are from Limpopo, three from the Free State, and the rest of the men from the North West, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape. She added that they will be buried with full military honour.

A TRAGEDY

The fallen soldiers were killed in the eastern DRC two weeks ago while serving as part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission amid ongoing clashes between the DRC military and M23 rebels. The deceased 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, and Private Peter Jacobus Strydom