Johannesburg -
The South African government on Tuesday condemned the rebel attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the international relations department said.
The government said it rejected the use of force which threatened to destabilise the country and undermined peace efforts, spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.
Forty armed militants were killed by Congolese security forces in the capital Kinshasa on Monday.
Agence France-Presse reported that armed youths believed to be loyal to a pastor who challenged President Joseph Kabila in elections seven years ago stormed the state television station RTNC and took several reporters hostage.
Gunfire erupted at RTNC's premises near parliament as well as the international airport and the main military base in Kinshasa, causing panic among residents.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP that 16 attackers were killed at the airport, 16 at the military headquarters and eight more at the RTNC premises.
Said Monyela: “South Africa will continue to support the role of SADC (Southern African Development Community), AU (African Union) and the UN (United Nations) in supporting the government and the people of the DRC in their efforts to consolidate peace, security and stability throughout the country.” - Sapa