The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday expressed disappointment with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga’s absence from a meeting to discuss the withdrawal of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

DA spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said despite the meeting being held virtually, Motshekga is in Russia and instead sent her deputy Bantu Holomisa to attend this “critical engagement”.

Last week, the SANDF began the phased withdrawal of its recruits and equipment from the eastern DRC, as part of a directive from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and government.

The withdrawal will take place via road, through Rwanda and Tanzania.

Earlier this year, South African opposition parties expressed sadness at the loss of 14 members of the SANDF in the eastern DRC, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Motshekga to account.

The SANDF members were killed during combat and several others were injured, while stationed in the DRC as part of SADC and the UN peacekeeping deployments. They were engaged in intense combat over two days with the M23 rebel group near Goma, the provincial capital of the eastern DRC.

“After 14 South African lives were lost during the mission in the DRC, it is appalling that the Minister is somehow unavailable to account to the people of South Africa,” stated Hattingh.

The DA criticised the withdrawal of SANDF soldiers and equipment from M23-controlled areas in eastern DRC, an area it described as of strategic importance and high volatility.

Hattingh pointed out that the lack of detail and transparency around this withdrawal raised questions about the government’s crisis management and strategic planning.

“This disengagement from a hostile region, without a clear public briefing or accountability, sends a troubling message of carelessness and disregard for the sacrifices made by our soldiers,” he noted.