SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN DRC TO BE BURIED
The two South African soldiers who died while on peacekeeping duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday are to be buried this weekend, the SA National Defence Force said on Thursday.
The two funerals would be accorded full military honours, the SANDF said in a statement.
Rifleman Reitumetse David Matlakele, 32, is to be buried from his home in Mmabatho in the North West at 7am on Saturday. The funeral would be conducted by 10 SA Infantry Battalion.
Rifleman Martin Mokgatle Tau, 33, would be buried at the Dinokana Village in Zeerust in the North West at 7am on Sunday. His funeral would be conducted by 2 SA Infantry Battalion.
"The Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota, the Secretary for Defence January Masilela, and the chief of the SANDF, General Siphiwe Nyanda, express their sincere condolences to the bereaved families," the statement read.
The two soldiers were part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission to the DRC.
Earlier this week, Lekota said Tau was shot in the leg when a convoy was ambushed near Goma, on the country's border with Rwanda. The soldiers returned fire and their attackers fled.
The military vehicle transporting the men overturned while returning them to base -- killing Tau and Matlakele.
Eleven others were injured in the accident, and were admitted to different hospitals.
-
10 Juin 2004 à 16:39 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
