DA slams Ramaphosa for deploying ‘unfit’ SANDF

The Democratic Alliance(DA) has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa for his decision to deploy nearly 3000 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to the DA, the country’s military is not equipped for an anti-insurgency campaign against M23 rebels.

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SANDF NOT EQUIPPED

The party’s shadow minister of Defence Kobus Marais has called on the deployment be reversed immediately.

Marais adds that the SANDF members are unfit and ill-equipped for the deployment.

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“The SANDF has no Rooivalk helicopters available and the five Oryx in the DRC will likely be reduced to two during the course of that DRC deployment.”

“Without proper air cover as well as transport and air elements, the SANDF troops will find it difficult to operate effectively in the eastern DRC, which is a complex and hostile terrain.

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RECENT AMBUSH

Just over a week ago, The South African, reported on an SANDF helicopter being ambushed, while conducting casualty evacuations.

The plane suffered damage to its hydraulic system, with multiple bullets going through the cabin, cockpit, and main rotor blades.

There were no fatalities, however, the pilot and ops medic were injured.

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