Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has strongly condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to deploy South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During a press briefing at the EFF headquarters in Johannesburg, Malema called for the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers, stating that they were ill-prepared for the mission and that their presence in the DRC was “out of order.”
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“The South African deployment of soldiers to DRC is out of order, it must be withdrawn with immediate effect,” he said.
Malema expressed concerns about the capacity of the SANDF to protect South Africa’s own borders, let alone participate in peacekeeping operations in another country. He accused Ramaphosa of risking the lives of South African troops by sending them to the DRC without proper training and equipment.
“Ramaphosa wants to kill our children in DRC, our troops are sent there to be killed because they are not properly trained, they must come back home,” he said.
Malema emphasised that the government should prioritise the well-being and safety of its soldiers before involving them in international missions.
The SANDF confirmed that three soldiers were killed and two injured in the DRC, following a mortar bomb attack on one of their bases.
The South African contingent is part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the DRC, aimed at supporting and assisting the government in its efforts to establish peace, security, and stability in the region.
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Malema criticised the ANC government for neglecting the army and failing to adequately compensate soldiers for their service.
He highlighted the demoralised state of South African soldiers, pointing out their lack of proper training and equipment. In the EFF’s manifesto, Malema pledged to prioritise the financing and training of the army to ensure their effectiveness and success.
“Take a walk and look at a South African soldier walking, you see a demoralised who is carrying a rifle and you can see that it is heavy on him. He is not even fit to carry it, he said.
It is worth noting that Malema has faced criticism for his stance on border control and the influx of illegal immigrants into South Africa. However, his concerns regarding the deployment of SANDF soldiers in the DRC highlight the need for proper preparation and support for the country’s armed forces.
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