As the nation received the shocking/ terrifying news regarding the death of 13 South African National Defence Force members.
It is still unclear whether front line of the nation will be withdrawn from the war that is taking place in DRC.
But that didn’t seat well with other members of the Parliament as the EFF president Julius Malema reiterated his call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to withdraw South African troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Malema made his plea during the conference of the party for 3rd National People’s Assembly plenum in Bela Bela on Friday.
Earlier this week, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed that South Africa will not withdraw its soldiers from the conflict-ridden DRC.
Lamola explained that South Africa is not acting alone but is part of a broader mission involving the United Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community.
Malema accused the government of using South African soldiers as “glorified bodyguards” for mining interests in the DRC, falsely presenting the mission as a pursuit of peace and democracy.
He said “This conflict is driven, in part, by ethnic divisions in the region, This is where Rwanda’s influence in the DRC becomes clear.
“Ethnic groups that fled Rwanda during the genocide and settled in the eastern Congo are being used to justify Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebellion against the DRC government—all while Rwanda acts as a proxy for Western interests in the region.”
He also commented on a war of words between Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, during which Kagame accused Ramaphosa of “distorting facts” about the ongoing conflict.
He said “The conflict in the DRC does not require a leader eager to be a hero at the expense of the lives of South African soldiers.
“Lies have short legs, Mr President. We demand clarity because you have sent our soldiers to their deaths while antagonising regional forces, knowing full well South Africa is not prepared for war.
“We must ask ourselves: What is the true role of the South African National Defence Force in the Congo? In whose interest is this mission being carried out? Are we truly pursuing peace for the continent, or are we protecting the mining interests of global capitalists?”
Leaders and ministers from the southern African regional group SADC gathered in the Zimbabwe capital Friday ahead of a summit on the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
