SA soldiers killed in DRC

2004-06-06 22:28

Erika Gibson

Johannesburg - Two South African soldiers died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday after being ambushed by a group of armed Interahamwe rebels north of Goma.

Soldiers from 2 SA Infantry Batallion (from Zeerust) were reportedly on their way to Goma from a base north of the city.

The 13 soldiers were driving in a Samil 20, accompanying a Samil 100 full of equipment.

About 20 rebels started firing at them at about 11:45. They were in the vicinity of Rugari. The South African soldiers returned fire and one soldier was wounded in the groin.

The rebels fled, and all the South African soldiers, including the wounded one, got into the Samil 20. They turned around and returned to their base.

En route to the base, the driver apparently lost control over the vehicle and it rolled. The wounded soldier and another soldier died in the accident. The other 11 passengers were injured.

Six of the injured were on Sunday flown to Kindu, where the area's military hospital is located, for treatment. One soldier has a broken leg and another one a broken hand. The others have lacerations.

Sunday's accident happened about 70km from the place where four soldiers died about two months ago when their Casspir rolled into a lake.

No problems have been reported with Interahamwe rebels recently.

Another rebel faction was involved in large-scale violence in Bukavu, a town in the east of the country. Numerous people died at their hands.

The rebels attacked the UN offices all over the country and in Kinshasa because they felt the UN had to intervene in Bukavu.

A number of the UN's warehouses were raided, amongst which the logistical base in Kinshasa where most of the South African soldiers in the UN forces live and work.

Embassy staff

South Africa's ambassador to the country, Sisa Ngombane, said on Sunday the South African embassy staff in Kinshasa had not asked for security back up, but they were "closely watching the situation".

South African businessmen's wives and children were taken back to South Africa on a special flight on Saturday morning, while others were taken to Congo, Brazzaville by ferry to catch a flight back to South Africa.

Ngombane says further marches by troublemakers and university students are expected this week. The funerals of the soldiers may also lead to further violence.

According to reports, rebels in Bukavu agreed during the weekend to withdraw from the town. The UN is currently negotiating with them.

- Beeld