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It was the responsibility of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the state to ensure that South African citizens were brought back home. That is a constitutional duty, nothing more and nothing less. Now that they are back, the country must decide how to move forward.
Those who recruited and misled them must be held fully accountable under South African law. Exploiting young men and exposing the country to international complications is reckless and unacceptable.
At the same time, the Minister responsible for the South African National Defence Force must now think carefully and act strategically. These 17 brothers have fought a real war. They are returning with lived combat exposure. There should be a structured military and security assessment process, and if they meet the standards, they should be formally integrated into the SANDF.
Experience matters. Modern warfare is not theory, it is reality. If properly vetted, trained further, and disciplined within official command structures, they could strengthen our defence capability. When they are fully prepared and cleared, they could even help lead troops where South Africa has commitments, including in the DRC.
We must also be honest about regional dynamics. South Africa has faced serious security challenges in the region, and tensions involving leaders such as Paul Kagame have raised difficult questions about sovereignty and the safety of our troops. The killing of our soldiers cannot simply be brushed aside. We must regroup, reassess, and strengthen our military readiness. Paul Kagame terrorised us, bullied us, and even killed our people in DRC
Many who claim veteran status in structures aligned to the uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association and even within the African National Congress have never seen modern frontline combat. Titles alone do not build a capable defence force.
National security is not a slogan. It requires discipline, accountability, strategic thinking, and a serious commitment to strengthening the South African National Defence Force for the challenges ahead.
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]]>The small country in the Great Lakes region is facing more heat from around the world for backing the M23 rebel group. Last year, M23 took control of large areas in eastern Congo.
A peace agreement between Rwanda and Congo, put together with help from former US President Donald Trump, got signed in Washington not long ago. But just days after, M23 captured another key city, Uvira. There was strong agreement from both sides in a US congressional group recently to push for more sanctions on Rwanda.
At an event in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, Kagame stressed the importance of standing on their own.
He talked about committing to self-reliance so that Rwanda’s future doesn’t hinge on chance or the kindness of others who might help one day and pull back the next.
Self-reliance is our top goal, he emphasized.
Rwanda says it’s only in eastern Congo to defend against a militia made up of leftovers from the groups behind the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. They deny any direct military action. Kagame seemed to hint at some involvement in Congo.
When people ask if you’re in Congo, if you say no, then the steps you took for defense get ignored. And if you say yes, that turns into the biggest issue everyone focuses on.
For the first time, Rwanda admitted to working directly on security with M23 and its political group, the Alliance Fleuve Congo.
This coordination is to stop another cross-border threat like in the late 1990s that could put Rwanda at risk.
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