By Chris Hattingh
MP DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans
Today, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence meets to discuss the withdrawal of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but the Minister is nowhere to be seen.
Despite the meeting being held virtually, Minister Motshekga is reportedly travelling in Russia and instead sent her Deputy to attend this critical engagement.
After 14 South African lives were lost during the mission in the DRC, it is appalling that the Minister is somehow unavailable to account to the people of South Africa.
Even more concerning is the withdrawal of SANDF soldiers and equipment from M23-controlled areas in eastern DRC—an area of strategic importance and high volatility.
The lack of detail and transparency around this withdrawal raises serious questions about the government’s crisis management and strategic planning.
This disengagement from a hostile region, without a clear public briefing or accountability, sends a troubling message of carelessness and disregard for the sacrifices made by our soldiers.
Despite the Minister’s inexplicable absence from today’s meeting, the Democratic Alliance will do everything we can to seek answers on the DRC calamity and ensure that the government is held to account for its actions.