Video: SANDF soldier allegedly raising a white flag to surrender to M23 rebels
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
28 January 2025- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said it has noted with concern the widespread misleading claims, suggesting that the SANDF soldiers have surrendered to M23 rebels. The SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini said they wish to set the record straight that, the footage in question, depicts a white flag raise, which is an outcome of discussions between the opposing fighting forces to agree on a truce to allow M23 rebels to recover their dead and injured in the vicinity of their base.
“This will also open the route for our troops to access the medical facilities. This is common practice in any war. Let the public not be alarmed by the video clip and its meaning.
“The SANDF remains fully committed to its peacekeeping responsibilities under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC),” said Dlamini.
He further said their troops continue to operate with resolve, courage and discipline in pursuit of peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, South Africans awoke this morning to disturbing footage of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers raising a makeshift white flag to the M23 Rebels, Hattingh said the unconfirmed reports this morning indicate that troops have been captured, after being surrounded by M23 rebels yesterday following heavy fighting.
“This includes alarming accounts of four more South African fatalities, with numerous others wounded. M23 rebels now control the airspace and make evacuation efforts perilous. We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation immediately.
“Since the recent deaths of yet more troops, SANDF Commander in Chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has yet to address the nation to provide comfort to families grieving and assure South Africans of the safety of our Defence Force,” he said.
Hattingh further said with the conflict now before the UN Security Council, Ramaphosa has also entered South Africa into a diplomatic crisis. He added that Ramaphosa has failed to provide leadership in an operation he authorised.
“Instead, more bodies are returning home and more taxpayer funds are gone. The deafening silence from the President and Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, shows a lack of compassion and deliberate withholding of information.
“The President’s tenure as CiC has only seen the rapid decline of our nation’s defence capabilities. The DA wishes to honour and commend the unwavering courage and dedication of our soldiers, who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and the indomitable spirit for which South African troops are renowned, despite the lack of essential support,” said Hattingh.
He said they express their profound condolences to the families of those lost, in a tragedy that never should have occurred.
The Guardian 