SUBJECT: THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE (SANDF) CLARIFIES THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)

The SANDF has noted with concern the media reports and other commentary about SANDF members being engaged in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the fight with rebels. The SANDF wishes to categorically state that our members in DRC have not been engaged in any battle with the rebels and have suffered no casualties thereof. Over the past thirty-six hours (36) there has been various reports coming through vgarious sources and we would like to put it on record that there have been no SANDF engagement in the eastern DRC with rebels.

Media is requested to stop speculating about what is happening in the eastern DRC and rather get factual information. Reports on the ground indicate that Sunday/Monday‘s attacks by the government troops (FARDC) on positions of the M23 at Mutaho near Goma were predetermined. The FARDC employed various capabilities and succeded to dislocate the M23 from Mutaho. The SANDF was not in any way affected by the clash between government forces and M23.

We (SANDF) have consistently indicated that we have not engaged any rebel force in the in the eastern DRC and we repeat that that remains the case.

Statement issued by Siphiwe Dlamini Defence Corporate Communication, Pretoria, July 17 2013

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