South Africa’s military mission in the DRC has turned into a political crisis, with Defence Minister Motshekga facing accusations of mismanagement and negligence. As casualties mount, pressure for accountability rises at home.
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South Africa’s Defence Minister Angie Motshekga is facing the fiercest political heat of her career, as public outrage and opposition calls for accountability mount over the chaotic deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The mission — once presented as a proud symbol of South Africa’s commitment to regional peacekeeping — has now become a flashpoint of national embarrassment, allegations of mismanagement, and tragic loss of life.
At the heart of the storm is the reported death of several South African soldiers in early March, casualties attributed not only to combat but also to what military insiders describe as “woeful logistical failures and inadequate support.” Sources claim that SANDF troops were sent into conflict zones without sufficient arms, medical backup, or even reliable communication infrastructure — leaving them exposed and vulnerable against heavily armed rebel forces.
Parliament erupted this week, with opposition parties, led by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), demanding Minister Motshekga’s resignation. “She has failed our troops. She has failed our nation,” EFF leader Julius Malema declared during an urgent debate. “We cannot send our sons and daughters into war zones unprepared, then call it diplomacy.”
South Africa’s involvement in the DRC stems from its membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which pledged to assist Congolese forces in their fight against M23 rebels in the country’s volatile eastern regions. Pretoria committed over 2,900 SANDF personnel to this mission earlier this year, touting it as a necessary step to stabilize the region and protect trade corridors that benefit southern Africa.
But revelations from leaked military reports and whistleblower testimonies suggest that the mission was rushed, poorly coordinated, and lacking the logistical backbone expected of such an operation. Anonymous soldiers interviewed by local outlets described “nightmare conditions” in which units were stranded for days without resupply, operating with outdated maps and running dangerously low on ammunition.
The deployment has also strained South Africa’s already stretched defence budget, with reports indicating that emergency funding requests were denied or delayed, forcing commanders on the ground to make dangerous compromises.
Political analysts say the fallout from the DRC mission could have far-reaching implications for Motshekga and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), especially in an election year. “This isn’t just about foreign policy — it cuts deep into public perceptions about leadership, competence, and whether this government values the lives of its people,” says Professor Sipho Dlamini, a political analyst at the University of Pretoria.
Minister Motshekga, for her part, has defended the mission, claiming that the casualties were unavoidable in such complex operations and that logistical issues are being addressed. However, her public appearances have done little to quell the anger. Military families have begun to speak out, with some accusing the Defence Department of downplaying the dangers and concealing the true scope of casualties.
The scandal has also reopened old wounds about South Africa’s military adventurism abroad. Critics recall the controversial 2013 SANDF deployment in the Central African Republic (CAR), which resulted in the deaths of 13 soldiers — a mission similarly marred by accusations of poor planning and lack of parliamentary oversight.
Within the defence community, the DRC debacle has triggered quiet calls for a comprehensive review of South Africa’s military engagements and an urgent reassessment of its peacekeeping doctrine. Many argue that the SANDF, long underfunded and stretched thin, is being pushed beyond its capacity in foreign missions while domestic defence readiness suffers.
The public backlash is also intensifying pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa, who authorized the deployment. Though seen as a staunch supporter of African peacekeeping, Ramaphosa now faces growing demands to order an immediate withdrawal or, at minimum, a suspension of operations until troop safety can be guaranteed.
Meanwhile, regional partners are watching South Africa’s crisis closely. SADC leaders fear that the controversy could undermine future multilateral efforts and erode Pretoria’s standing as the continent’s peacekeeping heavyweight.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the political and human cost of the DRC mission is rising fast. For Defence Minister Motshekga, the pressure cooker is only getting hotter — and in the court of public opinion, patience has already run out.
Whether heads will roll or policies will shift remains to be seen. But for the families of the soldiers sent into chaos and the nation grappling with hard questions, this moment has become a painful reckoning.
