Rwandan propaganda?

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied reports suggesting that two of its soldiers deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) have surrendered to M23 rebels. The SANDF stated that all its members deployed in the DRC are accounted for and dismissed the claims as unfounded.

The SANDF soldiers are part of SAMIDRC, aiding the DRC government in restoring peace and stability. The SANDF emphasized its commitment to keeping the South African public informed about its members' safety in the DRC.

The source was from a reporter relaying information from Rwandan sources for website National Security News. The correspondent was unnamed, as were the sources, leading to broad doubts in the report’s authenticity.

Clayson Monyela, spokesman for DIRCo, said of the story “is fake news. It’s propaganda by the handlers and funders of M23. No SANDF soldiers surrendered to those rebels.”

SA seizes property of DRC official

In a separate development, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has secured a R43 million preservation order in a fraud and theft case involving the former Defence Attaché of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to South Africa, Brigadier Ngoy Timothee Makwamba. The order aims to preserve four properties and two bank accounts linked to Makwamba.

The case stems from Makwamba's alleged fraudulent representation to Denel, South Africa's state-owned defence company, regarding the purchase of weapons for the DRC. After the DRC terminated his contract, Makwamba purportedly misrepresented himself to Denel and redirected a refund payment of R49.6 million to bank accounts belonging to him and his children, which were subsequently used to purchase properties.

Makwamba is alleged to have embezzled these funds using her authority over DRC state accounts.

The AFU's actions follow investigations by the Financial Intelligence Centre, which uncovered the illicit flow of funds. The properties will now be placed under the control of a curator pending the final forfeiture order, after which they will be sold at public auction and the proceeds returned to the DRC.

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said of the action:

“The DRC embassy then made a payment of R49.6 million to the Denel group. However, the Denel Group could not process the order and arranged to pay back the money to the DRC embassy. In December 2022, the DRC government terminated Brigadier Makwamba’s contract, and (he) was no longer mandated to represent the country. Instead, Brigadier Makwamba fraudulently and unlawfully represented himself to Denel as the delegated representative of DRC,”

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