On the sidelines of the ongoing arms deal corruption case involving former President Jacob Zuma, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Floyd Shivambu, has placed the blame for the deaths of South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) squarely on the shoulders of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The deployment of South African soldiers in the DRC has been a contentious issue for many years. In 2013, South Africa sent a contingent of soldiers as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region. Since then, the DRC has been plagued by armed conflict and instability, and the South African military personnel have faced significant risks in what has often been described as a highly volatile and dangerous environment.
Tragically, in 2017, 13 South African soldiers lost their lives while serving in the DRC as part of a UN peacekeeping operation. This event shocked the nation and raised serious questions about the conditions under which South African troops were deployed, the effectiveness of the mission, and whether adequate measures had been taken to protect them.
At the time, the South African government, under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma, was heavily criticized for its handling of the situation. Some suggested that the decision to deploy troops to the DRC was politically motivated and lacked proper planning. Others pointed to the lack of adequate support and preparation for the soldiers who were sent into a conflict zone.
Floyd Shivambu, known for his vocal criticism of the government, particularly on issues relating to corruption and military operations, took the opportunity to address what he views as a failure in South Africa’s military engagement in the DRC. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Shivambu stated, The President, not just now but also during the Zuma administration, is responsible for the deaths of our soldiers in the DRC. It is a direct result of poor decision-making, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability when it comes to protecting the lives of our troops.
Shivambu’s comments are a continuation of his long-standing criticism of the government’s handling of military operations and its foreign policy decisions. While the DRC mission was initially framed as a peacekeeping effort, the ongoing instability in the region and the deaths of South African soldiers have prompted deeper questions about the country’s military strategy in conflict zones.
Cyril Ramaphosa, as the current president, is no different from his predecessors in failing to protect our soldiers. The DRC mission is just one example of how South African military personnel have been sent into harm’s way without adequate preparation or political will to ensure their safety, Shivambu
While Shivambu’s comments were targeted at Ramaphosa, the president’s leadership and his administration’s handling of military affairs have been under increasing scrutiny, particularly given the backdrop of South Africa’s complex foreign policy and peacekeeping commitments. Ramaphosa, who succeeded Zuma in 2018, has inherited numerous issues from his predecessor, including military deployments and arms deals that continue to spark debate and controversy.
The deaths of the soldiers in the DRC have lingered as a painful reminder of the risks faced by South African troops abroad. Critics argue that the government’s failure to provide proper oversight and strategic direction in military deployments is indicative of broader failures within the administration. At the same time, Ramaphosa has been trying to reposition South Africa’s foreign policy, emphasizing peace, diplomacy, and regional stability, while also navigating the country’s own domestic challenges.
In response to Shivambu’s remarks, the office of President Ramaphosa has not issued an immediate statement. However, it is clear that the broader political and public discourse surrounding military deployments and accountability in the DRC is a delicate issue for the president.
The timing of Shivambu’s remarks also coincides with the ongoing arms deal corruption case, in which former President Jacob Zuma stands accused of accepting bribes related to a multi-billion-dollar arms procurement deal signed in the late 1990s. The arms deal, which has been a source of scandal and controversy for years, continues to cast a long shadow over South African politics.
Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018, faces multiple charges of corruption, money laundering, and racketeering in connection with the arms deal. The case has drawn attention not only because of the allegations against Zuma but also because of the broader issues of corruption, state capture, and mismanagement that were allegedly perpetrated during his presidency.
Shivambu, a fierce critic of Zuma and his administration, has frequently linked the arms deal to the broader problem of state corruption and mismanagement that he argues ultimately led to the deaths of soldiers in the DRC. According to Shivambu, the same forces that allowed for corrupt dealings in the arms trade also contributed to South Africa’s military failures abroad.
We have seen time and again that when the state is corrupt, when public funds are misused, the first casualties are the lives of our citizens, especially those who serve in our military. The DRC is just one example of how the rot of mismanagement and corruption extends to the lives of our soldiers, Shivambu said.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is tasked with defending the country’s interests both at home and abroad. The SANDF has been involved in several peacekeeping missions across Africa, including the DRC, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. These missions often place South African soldiers in high-risk environments, with limited resources and inadequate support.
The South African government has faced increasing pressure to ensure that soldiers are well-prepared, equipped, and protected when deployed to conflict zones. The deaths of the soldiers in the DRC have highlighted the challenges that the SANDF faces, particularly in terms of logistics, command, and coordination with international forces.
While the SANDF has received praise for its role in peacekeeping efforts, the fatalities in the DRC have raised important questions about the cost of South Africa’s military engagements abroad. Given the strain on resources and the challenges of operating in volatile regions, critics argue that the government must take a more cautious and strategic approach to foreign deployments in the future.
The political fallout from Shivambu’s comments highlights the broader divisions within South Africa’s political landscape. Shivambu’s EFF party has positioned itself as a fierce opponent of the establishment, consistently challenging the government on issues of corruption, accountability, and state mismanagement.
Shivambu’s call for accountability in the deaths of South African soldiers in the DRC is likely to resonate with many South Africans who feel that the government has not done enough to protect its citizens, particularly those serving in foreign missions. However, the political tensions surrounding the arms deal case and the broader issues of corruption in South Africa’s political elite suggest that the fight for accountability will remain a contentious and divisive issue.
Floyd Shivambu’s statement on the sidelines of the Zuma arms deal corruption case places a sharp focus on the issue of accountability in South Africa’s military engagements abroad. By placing the blame for the deaths of South African soldiers in the DRC on President Cyril Ramaphosa, Shivambu has reignited the debate over South Africa’s foreign policy, military strategy, and the broader issues of corruption and mismanagement that have plagued the country for years.
As the arms deal corruption case continues to unfold, and with further scrutiny of South Africa’s military operations abroad, the call for greater accountability and transparency in government decision-making is likely to remain a central theme in South African politics. The question of how the country manages its military engagements and protects its soldiers will be an important issue for both the current administration and future leaders.
