Govt Sends Condolences to Family of Slain SANDF Member
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has extended condolences to the family of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday.
Colonel Siyalala Apheus Mothapo of 118 Batallion in Ellisras and was detached to 7 SA Infantry Battalion based in Phalaborwa, Limpopo province was deployed in the DRC as part of a United Nations (UN) mission to bring peace in the DRC.
Colonel Kwena Mangope of the SANDF said the circumstances surrounding the death of the officer was still unclear but an investigation was underway. The UN is also investigating his death.
The SANDF said it will conduct a Board of Inquiry into Colonel Mothapo's death once the UN investigation is concluded.
"The officer was about to finish his six months term in the DRC," said Colonel Mangope. Unknown people shot and killed him on Monday evening near the Adikivu Base.
Preparations to bring his body back to South Africa for burial were underway, said the defence force.
South Africa has been supplying defence force personnel to the DRC as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in the region for over a year now.
So far, there are more than 700 military personnel drawn from the SANDF and its medical corps deployed in the DRC.
-
31 Mars 2004 à 16:09 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
