The remains of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be formally handed over in a ceremony at Swartkop Air Force Base in Centurion, Gauteng on the evening of 13 February 2025. It has been reported that still bodies arrived in South Africa in the evening of 12th of February, following a series of delays in the repatriation operation.
Delays were attributable to both logistical and administrative factors, such as medical processing in Uganda. At first, inconsistent dates of filings were disclosed by authorities that were routinely delayed because of the occurrence of unforeseen events.
The scenario has been a source of frustration and trauma for those who are bereaved, but it has also generated public attention within the South African media, and from social media. There has been raised a worry about the practicality of performing such operations.
However, notwithstanding the delay, the SANDF has assured the public that they will not fail to deliver a decent, dignified return, a proper memorial service to the deceased soldiers.
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