Tag Archives: Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala

Committee welcomes withdrawal of SANDF soldiers from DRC

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Picture: SANDF soldiers withdraw from DRC

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

5 May 2025 – The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, have welcomed the update through a media briefing by the Minister of Defence and the South African National Defence Force Military Command Council on the phased withdrawal of SANDF members from the Eastern DRC.

The soldiers formed part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the withdrawal follows the 13 March 2025, decision by Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Phala said they welcome the assurance that SAMIDRC commanders have, in consultation with both opposing parties, agreed that all Prime Mission Equipment will be withdrawn and that no equipment will be left behind. He further said this guarantee is critical to ensure that no equipment is left behind and could be used for nefarious reasons.

“We also highly-appreciate appreciated Rwanda’s cooperation in allowing movement by road from Goma to the assembly area and Tanzania’s cooperation in using the assembly point for the withdrawal.

“This cooperation is critical in ensuring that the withdrawal is seamless. Despite the withdrawal, we reiterate the importance of diplomatic and political engagement to ensure peace and stability in the region. This tactical withdrawal paves the way for diplomatic engagements between warring factions to find solutions as guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which encourages diplomatic engagement to find peace,” said Phala.

Gigaba shared the same sentiments. He said they continue to urge the AU and all regional bodies to offer diplomatic support and ensure peace and stability are achieved. He said they appreciate the move by the Minister of Defence and the SANDF Military Command Council to brief the nation, which ensures accountability and openness.

“Upon conclusion of the phased withdrawal, the committee will convene a meeting to get a full briefing on the mission in general and the support of the remaining cohort of soldiers that form part of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Gigaba.

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Committees’ welcome decision to terminate SADC mission in DRC

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Picture: The SANDF soldIers in DRC

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 March 2025 –The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, have welcomed the decision by the Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to terminate the mandate of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) amid the deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC.

The Chairpersons welcomed the decision, especially following the death of 14 SANDF soldiers in the DRC and the need to explore other political and diplomatic options to resolve the impasse. The Chairpersons stressed that the termination of the mandate should not be viewed as the complete abandonment of the DRC, but as a refocus on using other diplomatic options to achieve the objective of peace and stability in the DRC.

Gigaba said: “The recommendation by SADC Heads of State to support other interventions aimed at bringing lasting peace and security in the DRC reaffirms our belief that dialogue should be placed at the centre of efforts to resolve the DRC conflict.

“Achieving peace and stability in the eastern DRC is a precondition for economic growth and development of not only the DRC but of the region.

Phala said they are encouraged by the reassurance that SADC will continue to work with the East African Community (EAC) to merge the Luanda and Nairobi processes to enhance peace-building in the DRC. He further said, while they acknowledged that the details of the phased withdrawal of SANDF soldiers who form part of the SAMIDRC remain unclear for now, an urgent meeting where the minister provides the committee with details is needed.

“We will schedule an urgent meeting to get the envisioned phased plan of action to implement the decision by Heads of State.

“Also, this meeting must address the implications of the withdrawal in the context of the soldiers that will remain part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the assessment of the security risk thereof,” said Phala.

He added that the meeting envisioned will also provide details of how the SANDF plans will ensure the safe return of the SANDF’s Prime Mission Equipment, given the volatile and unpredictable dynamics in the eastern DRC. Phala said they reiterated their previous call for all parties in the conflict to commit to a ceasefire and stress dialogue as a way to resolve the conflict.

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The Joint Standing Committee on Defence calls for probe regardingthe deaths of SANDF soldiers in DRC

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Picture: The mortal remains of SANDF soldiers who were killed in DRC/Twitter

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

13 February 2025 – The Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala, participated in the handing over ceremony of the mortal remains of South African National Defence Force soldiers who lost their lives in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Phala said they appreciate the work done by the department, United Nations, SADC and the SANDF to repatriate the gallant soldiers back home for their final burial.

“The committee has always believed that while the process is complex, everything should be done to return the remains to the country. We remain grateful that this has finally happened despite the delays.

“In the spirit of ubuntu and cooperation, the committee appreciates Uganda’s contribution to facilitating the transfer of the soldiers’ remains from the DRC to South Africa,” he said.

Gigaba also shared the same sentiments. He further said the spirit of cooperation is what is needed currently to enable dialogue, which will be critical in finding solutions to the long standing instability in the DRC.

“The committee has also reiterated that participation in peacekeeping missions is an obligation that cannot be abandoned.

“South Africa, as part of the African Union (AU), subscribes to the AU’s Agenda 2063, which aims to silence the guns and provide a framework of diplomacy, conflict resolution and sustainable development to ensure peace on our continent,” he said.

He added that, it is on this basis that they continue to support the deployment of the SANDF as a diplomatic tool to peacebuilding on the continent.

Gigaba said, while the committee remains of the view that a thorough investigation is necessary to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent its recurrence, the continued use of all diplomatic tools available remains necessary to advance the strategic goals of peace, security, and prosperity.

“The return of the mortal remains of the soldiers is a realisation of the promise made by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF to the committee that no stone will be left unturned to repatriate our fallen soldiers back to South Africa.

“It is now critical that families of the fallen soldiers are given adequate support and care during this difficult time,” he said.

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