If required, we will do it again’: SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya welcomes troops from DRC mission

Jubilant members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane on Sunday, where they were welcomed by the SANDF top brass led by Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya.

The SANDF members arrived in a chartered Air Tanzania Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in the evening of Sunday, where they individually met and shook hands with the military leadership.

In high spirits, the SANDF members were singing and dancing as they queued to meet Maphwanya. Afterwards, they were assembled in a building where Maphwanya addressed them, before the troops left for demobilisation in Bloemfontein.

“Some of you, when we met in Goma (city in DRC) you were saying this old man is going to leave us here. I heard it. Now you are back home, welcome back home. I am smiling because I am happy. I came to salute you, and I will continue to salute you for the good work that you have don

“Your stories are better told by those who were on the other side of the barrel, because they know, they felt it. They are the ones that attested, so be proud of what you were doing. If we are required to do so, we will do it again,”

Maphwanya addressed the uniformed troops, with the majority of the soldiers responding: “Yes sir”.