Cape Town – Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has clarified that the budget for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment in eastern DRC is funded by SADC, not South Africa alone.
The SANDF operates under the SADC mission (SAMIDRC), and troop withdrawal was a joint decision by SADC and the East African Community to support peace efforts.
Motshekga explained that each of the 16 SADC member countries contributes according to a formula set by the SADC Secretariat.
“The financing of SAMIDRC comes from the 16 countries that make SADC. From there, when they have worked out figures, they will tell us what is supposed to be our contribution as a country based on the 16 countries’ contributions which are determined with a different formula. Do we still get our figure from SADC secretariat,” the minister said.
[WATCH] Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says some of the budget allocated to the DRC mission was to train the DRC forces. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/VFYcsbhjVK
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 4, 2025
Motshekga said that the troop withdrawal from the SADC mission in the DRC is a strategic move, not an abandonment.
She confirmed that the withdrawal — alongside Tanzanian and Malawian forces — follows regional diplomatic efforts and progress in peace initiatives.
Motshekga emphasised that the move reflects confidence in the DRC’s ability to manage its own security, with continued support through diplomacy and development.
[WATCH] Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says the withdrawal of troops from DRC is to allow for political and diplomatic interventions to resolve the security situation in the country. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/r2BaLk9b3e
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 4, 2025
SANDF announced this week that it has begun a phased withdrawal of its troops and equipment from the DRC, in line with a directive from the SADC heads of state summit held in March.
SANDF troops were part of the SADC mission combating armed groups in the region.
“The withdrawal of the South African National Defence Force from the eastern DRC marks a very important new chapter in our regional peacekeeping efforts, and this withdrawal is a structured process,” says Defence Minister Angie Motshekga.
“We are withdrawing now in a phased… pic.twitter.com/hbEmRQO4zC
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) May 4, 2025
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has commenced the phased withdrawal of its personnel and equipment from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as from 29 April 2025 as part of SAMIDRC,” SANDF said in a statement on Thursday.
“The withdrawal will take place in phases, and the SANDF will provide regular updates to the public regarding the safe return of our soldiers to the Republic of South Africa.”
The SA National Defence Force Media Statement || Wednesday, 30 April 2025 ||SANDF begins phased withdrawal from the DRC in line with SADC Directive.
Media Statement by Defence Corporate Communication || Media Liaison.#SANDF#JointOperationsDivision#DCCMediaLiaison#DRC pic.twitter.com/Epe4CK9cjB
— SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) May 1, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
