Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have died, and 20 others were wounded, four critically, in a mortar attack on a SANDF base in Sake, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The attack took place on Tuesday, when Tutsi M23 rebels launched an attack on the town of Sake.

Reports indicate that a Captain from 46 Brigade Headquarters and a Captain from the Air Defence Artillery Formation were among those killed in the incident.

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini confirmed that four critically injured soldiers are currently hospitalized, while those with minor injuries are expected to be discharged soon. "The families of the two members who lost their lives have been informed, and procedures to bring their mortal remains home are in process. The names of the deceased will be communicated later," Dlamini stated.

This incident marks the fourth major attack on South African soldiers by M23 rebels since the Samidrc deployment began in December, bringing the death toll to nine with numerous injuries. One of the two deceased died from critical injuries waiting for an ambulance. Among the injured soldiers in that attack, one lost an arm, and another is in critical condition after shrapnel hit his stomach. They are receiving treatment in Goma, as the SADC war effort, shockingly,  lacks field hospitals.

Sake, located approximately 20 km from the provincial capital Goma, has been largely deserted for months following previous attacks. On 30 May, South African soldiers serving with the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) clashed with M23 in Sake, resulting in at least 13 injuries and one death among the South African troops, along with two damaged armoured personnel carriers. Additionally, a Tanzanian soldier was reportedly killed and seven others wounded, while a dozen M23 rebels were killed.

In the May attack, M23 initially bombarded the area, prompting a counterattack by FARDC, SAMIDRC, and Wazalendo militia. The M23 claimed that government and SAMIDRC forces initiated the conflict. A South African Mfezi armoured ambulance was damaged during the firefight, and a Casspir and Mamba were either damaged or abandoned, along with a Tanzanian IVECO truck carrying ammunition. Subsequent video footage purportedly showed the Casspir being driven away by the rebels.

The following day, M23 released a statement claiming responsibility for attacking and setting fire to an SANDF armoured vehicle in Mubambiro, on the outskirts of Goma, sharing a video of smoke emanating from the vehicle while parked on base. The rebels claimed SAMIDRC vehicles were later evacuated to Goma city centre.

The SANDF has 1,198 members deployed, originally as part of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission (Monusco) in the DRC. Monusco took over from a previous UN operation in 2010 to help address insecurity in eastern DRC, where numerous armed groups are fighting for control over territory and resources. Now, SADC has taken over as the DRC president vows to drive out all Rwandan-backed forces.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed up to 2,900 SANDF soldiers to SAMIDRC until mid-December to fill the gap left by the departure of the United Nations mission (Monusco) from the DRC this year. Under Operation Thiba, South Africa will contribute 2,900 military personnel at a cost of R2.37 billion. However, there is no information on the number of Malawian and Tanzanian troops that will make up the rest of the 5,000-strong SAMIDRC force.

The SANDF’s deployment with SAMIDRC has faced challenges from the start. In an earlier incident on 14 February, two soldiers were killed and three injured in an M23 mortar attack on a base.

Experts have expressed concern about the latest SANDF deployment, warning that the troops are under-equipped for the task and are at unnecessary risk against a well-organized and well-armed rebel group. The lack of air support from South Africa leaves the soldiers more vulnerable and only marginally better equipped than the rebels.

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