President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday he was saddened by the death of two soldiers and by the injuries sustained by 20 others in a mortar attack on their base in Sake in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

As Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the families of the fallen troops, as well as their commanders and colleagues.

“As we mourn the deaths and casualties inflicted on our soldiers, we value and are humbled by the sacrifices they have made for the cause of peace and stability in our region, and they shall not be forgotten,” he said.

Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya noted that the President’s thoughts were also with the SANDF members who were recovering from their injuries.

Magwenya explained that South African forces were part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo which was deployed in December to support the government of the DRC to restore peace and security in the eastern DRC.

This was in response to an increase in conflicts and instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups, he said.

Ramaphosa assured the bereaved families and the injured troops that the SANDF would take the “utmost care” to provide the necessary logistical and psychosocial support to all those affected.