Dead DRC soldiers named

2004-06-07 18:00

Cape Town - The bodies of the two South African soldiers who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the weekend will arrive in South Africa on Monday, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said.

"The bodies of Rifleman MM Tau, 33, and Rifleman RD Matlakele, 32, are expected to arrive in the country later this evening (Monday)," Lekota said at a media briefing.

"I would like to express our deep and sincere condolences to the families of the riflemen who died in the DRC yesterday (on Sunday)," Lekota said.

The two soldiers were part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to the DRC.

Lekota said Tau was shot in the leg when a convoy was ambushed near Goma, on the country's border with Rwanda. The soldiers returned fire and their attackers fled.

"After the attackers were repulsed the commander ordered the vehicle back to its base. On the way back the vehicle overturned. The soldier who was injured (Tau) and another soldier (Matlakele) died in the accident."

Other soldiers in DRC safe

Lekota said 11 others were injured in the accident. Four of the soldiers were in hospital in Goma and the other seven were being treated in a hospital in Kindu.

The minister stressed that all other South African soldiers in the region were safe and faced no threat.

"I have been advised that all soldiers and equipment are not exposed to unnecessary danger and I am satisfied that our people are safe. There is no reason to expect any other casualties."

Lekota said there was no indication that any of the signatories to the country's peace accord were responsible for the attack.

"There are suggestions at this stage that these were either bandits or loose militiamen which have not been identified at this time," he said.

- SAPA