After a dramatic start, the return of deployed South African soldiers is successfully underway with another group expected at the Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein. This will be the fifth group since 13 June and the third group to disembark in Bloemfontein. The nation, especially the media, has been watching this process closely since the arrival of the first group made headlines for a last-minute location change due to logistical issues.
The troops were supposed to arrive at the Bloemspruit Airforce Base to be welcomed by a delegation and the Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga. During the media briefing at Tempe military base in Bloemfontein, the minister noted that the 249 soldiers had boarded the plane, but the location of the arrival was not confirmed until later that evening. The soldiers eventually arrived at Waterkloof Air Force Base just outside of Pretoria (13/6) after a six-hour delay due to logistical issues surrounding their flight out of Tanzania.
The first group has completed their demobilisation process. Demobilisation for all returning soldiers will take place from the Tempe military base. “By the end of June, we will have completed the process, and I think they will spell out what the process is when they arrive, what happens in the first three days, go to their units, go for psychosocial support back at their bases, and then be allowed to go home,” said the SANDF chief of joint operations, Lieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni.
He highlighted that two smaller aircraft were going to be used. When they were replaced with a larger aircraft, the trip was rerouted to Pretoria for better landing capacity. “With these bigger aircraft, it will now be nine trips bringing our soldiers back to South Africa,” he said. “It is worth noting that part of this meticulous withdrawal process includes the safe return of all our Prime Mission Equipment, which is ongoing. As stated by the Chief of the SANDF during our last media briefing on this matter, we shall not leave even a pin behind,” Motshekga added.
The pair mentioned that with better funding and modernised equipment operations, the SANDF will be capable of carrying out more peacekeeping missions effectively. “If we had our own capability, we would have just picked up our children and landed them at the airbase,” the minister said.
Earlier this year, 14 soldiers lost their lives on the peacekeeping mission in the DRC, three of which were from the Free State. Soldiers were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community mission to ensure peace and stability in the Eastern DRC. Unfortunately, some did not make it home alive.
Gypseenia Lion
gypseenia@mahareng.co.za
