---
title: "Four more South African soldiers killed in Congo, defence department says"
description: "Four more South African soldiers have been killed in fighting with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said, taking the number of South African peacekeepers killed to 13 since the conflict escalated last week."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "DRC Conflict"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-28-four-more-south-african-soldiers-killed-in-congo-defence-department-says/"
published: "2025-01-28T12:30:35"
updated: "2025-01-28T12:30:37"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 117
---

# Four more South African soldiers killed in Congo, defence department says

> Four more South African soldiers have been killed in fighting with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said, taking the number of South African peacekeepers killed to 13 since the conflict escalated last week.

By Reuters · Published 28 January 2025, 14:30 SAST · Updated 28 January 2025, 14:30 SAST

## Key points
- In a tragic twist of fate, South African troops in Congo face the grim reality of peacekeeping as M23 rebels rain mortar bombs, claiming the lives of several SANDF soldiers while the government insists on sticking to its mission like a stubborn fly on a wall.
- South African troops are deployed in Congo as part of U.N. and SADC peacekeeping missions.
- Recent clashes with M23 rebels resulted in the deaths of three SANDF soldiers and one additional soldier succumbing to injuries.
- The government previously reported a total of nine South African peacekeepers killed in the conflict.
- The SANDF reaffirms its commitment to peacekeeping efforts in the region despite ongoing violence.

## Content

South African troops are in Congo as part of U.N. and Southern African missions.

The Department of Defence said in a statement that on Monday M23 rebels had launched mortar bombs in the direction of Goma airport in eastern Congo, resulting in three SANDF (South African National Defence Force) soldiers being killed.

Another soldier injured in combat with M23 rebels over the past three days died from their injuries, it added.

Earlier the government said nine South African peacekeepers had been killed.

The defence department said on Tuesday that the SANDF remained committed to its peacekeeping duties in Congo under the U.N.-mandated MONUSCO and Southern African Development Community (SADC) missions.

(Reporting by Bhargav AcharyaEditing by Alexander Winning)