South African soldiers come under fire in DRC clash

ONE of the South African soldiers injured in a firefight in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been stabilised after undergoing an operation in the country.

Lieutenant- Colonel Piet Paxton from the SANDF said 25-year-old Rifleman Sidumo Mbhamali, from Jozini, was wounded in the neck when a coalition of Mayi Mayi and Allied Democratic Forces rebel groups operating in the Eastern DRC attacked the SANDF base in the Beni region on Monday.

Paxton said Mbhamali, from the 4 South African Infantry Battalion, was in a critical condition and was immediately operated on at the United Nation’s Hospital in Boma, but was transferred to a level- four hospital in Kinshasa yesterday.

SANDF spokesman Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said 27-year-old Rifleman Moalosi Albert Mokhothu from Bloemfontein, who was killed in the attack, was part of the 1 Parachute Battalion.

Forty-two-year-old Corporal Bonginkosi David Phakathi of KwaMashu (with the Mpumalanga Signal Unit ) was shot in the hand.

Paxton said five rebels were killed, one wounded and two were captured.

He said Mbhamali would return to South Africa once doctors in the DRC felt he was well enough to travel.

The soldiers were part of a 1 300 strong contingent of SA soldiers in country. Paxton said a commander, chaplain and social worker were sent to Mokhothu’s family to break the news of his death.