SA 'reservists' set for DRC
2005-05-06 22:33
Bloemfontein - For the first time since the border war, a company of reserve-force soldiers will be deployed in a foreign country as part of the defence force's troops there.
During the next two weeks, about 126 reserve-force members, among them seven women, will be deployed as members of the troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Colonel Ray van Zanten, senior staff officer of the motorised reserve force infantry in Pretoria, said the reserve force had started its retraining during Exercise Seboka in November last year.
He was speaking at a parade of the defence department's mobilisation centre outside Bloemfontein.
Reserve force soldiers will take part in peace-keeping operations.
Van Zanten said they would be able to relay the experience they had gained to their units.
Keen to get down to work
Gideon Nieuwoudt, 24, a reserve-force soldier, said the sooner he could leave for the DRC, the better.
"I'm not really nervous. It's a chance to get away. I'll miss my family, but I've got work to do."
Nine reserve-force units from across the country have contributed soldiers to the force going to the DRC.
Deputy defence minister Mluleki George said at the parade there was a growing need for soldiers in Africa. But a shortage of funds hampered the provision of enough reserve forces.
Major-General Keith Mokoape, chief director: SA Auxiliary Forces, said the deployment of the reserve force was part of the SANDF's strategy to develop the defence force.
1 000 people in DRC contingent
He said it was more affordable to use reserve-force members because they were not in the permanent employ of the defence force.
"We use these soldiers when we need them."
The South African contingent, which will be deployed to the DRC for six months, will consist of 861 soldiers.
Along with medics, signalmen and other staff, the contingent will consist of more than a 1 000 people.
The contingent will be deployed to the DRC under the auspices of the United Nations to relieve soldiers who are already there.