The soldiers, who were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), sustained severe injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group in the battle to capture Goma and Sake.

A total of 194 wounded troops were evacuated from Goma to Rubavu, Rwanda, on Monday before being escorted to Kigali International Airport for repatriation.

Among them, 129 were from the Republic of South Africa Battalion, 40 from the Malawi Battalion, and 25 from the Tanzania Battalion.

Some of the wounded soldiers, who suffered life-altering injuries, were confined to wheelchairs, having lost their legs in battle. Others bore signs of grenade injuries, with reports of a young soldier losing his eyesight.

The SANDF said it is working with other stakeholders to ensure the safe return of its remaining wounded personnel during the course of the week.

"The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirms that the group of critically injured soldiers who needed urgent medical attention have been successfully repatriated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and will receive high-level medical care. The remainder are scheduled to arrive in South Africa during the course of the week," SANDF said in its statement.

Reports indicate discussions over the soldiers’ repatriation had been ongoing for two weeks, with the United Nations mediating talks with M23 rebels, who have long demanded the withdrawal of SADC forces. Delays in the evacuation process raised concerns, as soldiers endured worsening conditions at the Sake military base.

The evacuation follows mounting calls for South Africa to withdraw from the mission, with 18 SAMIDRC troops killed in recent confrontations, including 14 from South Africa.

The deaths of two Malawian and two Tanzanian soldiers in battles around Sake and Goma have further fueled debates over the future of the SADC mission in the DRC.

Pressure is now mounting on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw troops, with Parliament questioning the justification for the country’s involvement in the conflict. Critics argue that the deployment has placed South African soldiers in unnecessary danger, sacrificing lives in a foreign conflict driven by private interests.

The soldiers who were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) sustained severe injuries in recent clashes with the M23 rebel group during the battle for Goma and Sake.

The injured soldiers were transported to Kigali International Airport on Monday evening.