Calls For Sandf Troop Withdrawal From Drc Amid Escalating Crisis

Defence analyst Dean Wingrin has called for South African National Defence Force SANDF troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC to be reassigned to border patrol duties within South Africa.

This comes as the M23 rebels , who recently seized control of Goma in the eastern DRC, are expected to make an announcement this morning.

Last week, nine SANDF soldiers were killed in clashes with the rebels . Four more soldiers, from Malawi and Uruguay, died the following day.

Wingrin has criticised the lack of logistical support for SANDF troops in the DRC.

"You must have a sufficiently capacitated and equipped army that if you are going to deploy them 3 000 kilometres away, then they must be supported. And unfortunately, they cannot be supported if you dont have sufficient logistics to support them - enough ammunition, even small things like toilets, and hot food, and safe accommodation-"