Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ethan van Diemen
Published on 2024-03-03 18:09:25
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recently announced a tragic incident involving two of its members deployed in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco). According to the statement released by SANDF, one member shot and killed the other with their service weapon before turning the weapon on themselves, resulting in fatal consequences. The news shocked the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise.
When contacted by Daily Maverick, Siphiwe Dlamini, the head of communications at SANDF, declined to provide details about the mental health resources available to SANDF members in general or to soldiers deployed in active conflict zones like the DRC. Instead, he referred to the statement released by SANDF, which stated that a board of inquiry had been established to collaborate with Monusco in investigating the incident and the surrounding circumstances.
Daily Maverick also reached out to the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) and the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans regarding the mental health and trauma care services offered to soldiers. However, no response was received by the time of publication.
According to an article in the South African Journal of Military Studies, suicide is recognized as a common occurrence in defense forces worldwide, including the SANDF. Former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, explained in a parliamentary reply that due to the complexity of mental health disorders, it is challenging to quantify the numbers involved without in-depth analysis. She mentioned that all members have access to a range of clinicians for managing mental health disorders, with SAMHS having management and defusing programs in place to provide care after traumatic incidents and deployments.
In February, tragedy struck again when two SANDF soldiers lost their lives in the DRC. Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance-Corporal Irven Thabang Semono were killed, and three others were injured when a mortar shell exploded inside their military base in eastern DRC. The soldiers were honored in a funeral ceremony, and they were recently deployed as part of a force targeting armed groups in the region.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo was deployed to support the government in restoring peace and security in the eastern DRC. South Africa authorized the deployment of 2,900 troops for this mission, at an estimated cost of R2.3 billion. The mission aims to address the increase in conflicts and instability caused by the resurgence of armed groups in the region.
The incidents in the DRC highlight the challenges and risks faced by military personnel deployed in conflict zones. Mental health and trauma care services are essential to support soldiers in coping with the stress and trauma of such deployments. The outcomes of the investigations into these incidents will shed light on the circumstances surrounding these tragic events, and hopefully, lead to improved support systems for soldiers in similar situations in the future.
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