THE body of slain SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Corporal Simanga Arthur Khuselo is expected to arrive in the country on Monday.
Khuselo was killed following a friendly-fire incident during a military operation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on June 3.
SANDF spokesperson Mafi Mgobozi said senior leadership from the Department of Defence and the SANDF would hand over the mortal remains of the 34-year-old to his family during a military ceremony at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, her deputy Thabang Makwetla, the Secretary for Defence Sonto Kudjoe and the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya have extended their condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased.
He is survived by his widow and two children. Funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as the family has finalised the details.
Meanwhile, the SANDF will deploy the South African Quick Reaction Force (RSA QRF) to the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in July 2021.
The unit will work closely with the FIB and the Tactical Intelligence Unit (TIU) currently deployed in the DRC in efforts to combat illegal armed groups and protect the vulnerable civilians.
The RSA QRF under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel MA Saki consists of more than 200 personnel and is fully equipped to perform their mandate, said the SANDF.
The QRF moved from 44 Parachute Regiment and reported at Joint Mobilisation and Demobilisation Centre on June 6 2021, and will commence with the mobilisation process. The officer commanding Joint Mob and Demob Centre, Colonel PC Arlow officially welcomed the QRF on June 8 2021. In his address, Arlow emphasised the ethos of the members and the unit’s importance in building teamwork and unity of command.
“During their mobilisation, the UN Department of Peace Operations will be conducting individual and collective military skills pvre-deployment validation. The field training and command post exercise will also be conducted to ensure that the QRF is mission ready,” said SANDF’s Seitebatso Pearl Block.