PRETORIA - More SANDF troops are returning home from deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The second batch of 257 soldiers landed in Pretoria after a long journey of withdrawal from the DRC. These men and women were fighting against the M23 rebels in Goma, East of DRC.
They were part of a SADC peacekeeping mission in conflict-ridden eastern DRC. Their phased withdrawal comes after a decision by the regional body to end its mission in the area.
Earlier this year, 14 South African soldiers lost their lives while fighting in the Goma region.
On Friday night the first batch of almost 250 soldiers at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
Since the end of April troops have been withdrawing from the DRC using trucks to travel overland. The withdrawal had a number of challenges including logistical delays due to the heavy equipment that had to be moved from their base near Goma.
The SANDF is calling on South Africans to support troops returning from the DRC. Soldiers that have returned home are expected to be transported to Boemfontein, where they will be demobilised.