The deployment was as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADeC) peacekeeping mission.

The contingent of 255 soldiers landed at Bram Fischer International Airport on Monday afternoon and will begin the demobilisation process at Tempe military base in Bloemfontein.

This group forms part of a phased withdrawal from the eastern DRC, where regional forces have been engaged in efforts to stabilise the area amid ongoing armed conflict. Five other groups have already completed their demobilisation, and the final two groups are expected to arrive today.

SANDF’s Major General Godfrey Thulare confirmed that while the bulk of the returning personnel are on schedule, logistical operations are still underway to return equipment and administrative staff.

“The staff that is facilitating the members that are coming back are going to come separately outside of the two flights that are remaining. That will be a separate arrangement,” Thulare explained.

He added that there were still logistical matters to attend to, including the return of equipment currently in Tanzania. “That equipment is going to be shipped to SA, so you will still need some bodies that are going to be handling all this other administration.”

The phased withdrawal follows a joint decision by SADeC and the East African Community to make way for renewed peace talks in the troubled region. At least 19 peacekeepers from SA, Malawi and Tanzania lost their lives earlier this year during clashes in Goma, one of the largest cities in eastern DRC.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--