Originally scheduled to land at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein today from Tanzania, the contingent is now expected to arrive at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria at an as-yet-uncertain time. The change comes as flights are not permitted to land in Bloemfontein after 10 pm.

To date, over one thousand SANDF members have returned from the deployment, with the operation anticipated to conclude by June 25. However, officials have stressed the importance of allowing for unforeseen circumstances during the repatriation process.

SA had deployed more than 2 000 troops to the eastern DRC as part of the regional peacekeeping effort under SADC, aimed at stabilising the conflict-affected area.

--ChannelAfrica/SABC--