These lawmakers have called for the withdrawal of South African troops and the repatriation of the fallen soldiers, though challenges persist as some troops are reportedly surrounded by M23 fighters.

As he declared national mourning in the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 6, 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa read the names of the fallen soldiers, who held various ranks, including Corporals, Staff Sergeants, Riflemen, and Privates.

"I have directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in honor of these fallen heroes for a week, starting tomorrow morning," he said.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed soldiers to the eastern DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since 2023. The mandate was extended for another year in November 2024.

The initial deployment consisted of 5,000 soldiers, including 2,900 from South Africa, which leads the mission, alongside 2,100 from Tanzania and Malawi.

On June 26, 2024, it was announced that SADC had reinforced its presence in Goma, increasing troop numbers from the initial 5,000 in North Kivu to over 9,000.

Reports indicate that South Africa contributed an additional 2,600 troops, while Tanzania and Malawi reinforced their contingents with 750 and 1,000 soldiers, respectively.

Despite this buildup, the forces have not met the DRC government’s expectations, as they have failed to push M23 out of the areas under its control. Instead, the rebel group has continued to expand its territory.

Ramaphosa’s recent statement has sparked mixed reactions. Critics have questioned the characterization of South African soldiers in the DRC as peacekeepers, noting that they were directly involved in combat with M23.

Some have even suggested that the soldiers were sent to the conflict zone as part of the president’s mining interests, with claims that they were sent to die in the process.

The bodies of South African soldiers who died in clashes with the M23 rebel group continue to decompose in Goma, with reports indicating that some remain scattered in different locations and have not been placed in hospital mortuaries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the national mourning in the State of the Nation Address.