'our Soldiers Were Not Protecting Business Interests' - Mbalula On Drc Deaths

ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has rejected allegations that the South African National Defence Force SANDF was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC to protect the business interests of individuals.

These claims resurfaced after the deaths of 13 soldiers in the region, which is known for its untapped mineral reserves, including gold, cobalt and copper.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mbalula dismissed the allegations as false, saying that while South African business people are involved in mining in the DRC, their interests do not require military protection.

They didnt die there because they were protecting minerals of somebody. Our people must not be misled. They were there for peace. And that is what it is all about. And it must be understood.

We have taken this decision after a collective action outlined in the SADC mutual defence act of 2003, he said.