Calls made for return of SANDF Soldiers as death toll rises in DRC

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PRETORIA - Another South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier has reportedly died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),  bringing the death toll to 14.

The latest soldier is reported to have  succumbed to wounds sustained in the battle with M23 rebels which claimed the lives of 13 members of the SANDF whose names have been made public.

SANDF members are currently in Goma as part of a Southern African Development Committee (SADC) peace mission. However, the mission is becoming difficult by day. IOL reported that soldiers are living of one meal a day with poor communication and network challenges on the ground.

In a bid to improve peace talks, on 31 January President Cyril Ramaphosa flew to Harare, in the Republic of Zimbabwe to participate in the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss the security situation in the Congo. 

The outcome of the summit is expected to bring about positive ideas in improving security and peace talks in the Congo.

This is a developing story.

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