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Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has rejected reports that South Africa soldiers doing duty in the Democratis Republic of Congo were not receiving proper medical care.

He also dismissed allegations that the deployment included an HIV-positive soldier and individuals who were medically unfit.

"I am concerned because the reports are untrue and because of the unknown intentions of a source who is propagating damaging untruths about the Defence Department," Lekota said in a statement on Thursday.

Recent newspaper reports suggested the SA National Defence Force did not provide adequate health care for its troops deployed in the DRC.

It was also alleged that the first soldier evacuated from Kindu in the DRC to South Africa was an HIV/Aids casualty. Another SANDF member reportedly had a history of psychological problems, and was deployed against his will.

The South African troops are serving in the DRC in support of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Lekota said the soldier with HIV/Aids evacuated to 1 Military Hospital Pretoria was a member of the UN mission and not an SANDF soldier.

The hospital served as a UN evacuation facility for the mission in the DRC, as well as an African Union peace contingent in Burundi.

Lekota said five South African soldiers were evacuated to the hospital last year from Burundi and from Kinshasa in the DRC last year.

Since January this year, three were brought back for health reasons from the two countries.

"These members were evacuated for different health problems unrelated to HIV/Aids. None of them came from Kindu in the DRC," Lekota said.

He said all members of the SANDF were subjected to a comprehensive health assessment before being deployed.

"One member who was sick, however, slipped through the net and was deployed on May 11 this year. As soon as this was found out, he was returned to South Africa on May 15."

On the issue of medical care, Lekota said, the ship carrying containers with SANDF logistics had been delayed.

The container holding medical supplies was initially to be transported by air. It was eventually decided to ship the container by sea to cut costs.

"The container was delayed and missed its departure time.

However, it should be stated categorically that at no stage were our troops in any danger," Lekota said.

He called on the media to reflect facts instead of rumours when reporting on South African troops deployed abroad.

Defence Ministry spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi said the UN did not prohibit the deployment of troops who were HIV positive.

"But the SANDF's policy is not to use individuals with HIV/Aids in missions abroad. We feel the strain and harsh conditions could exacerbate their condition," he said.