Friday, August 22, 2025
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has moved to clarify the status of its Oryx helicopters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
This as media reported that the Oryx helicopters are likely to remain permanently stranded in the DRC, as there is no money to replace two of the five engines of the helicopter.
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) wishes to clarify that none if its Oryx
In a statement on Thursday, the SANDF said such allegations are misleading and do not reflect the actual condition or status of SANDF aircraft.
“Out of the three helicopters reported, only one sustained damage during the United Nations peacekeeping military operations last year, and it will undergo repairs. The other helicopters are operational and remain under the strict control of the SANDF.
“The SANDF reaffirms that all its Oryx helicopters are being maintained in accordance with technical and safety requirements,” the statement read.
In June of this year, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, welcomed the return of 249 South African troops who had been deployed to the eastern DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
The first group of the SANDF heroes and heroines arrived at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria from Tanzania, following South Africa’s phased withdrawal from the regional peacekeeping mission.
Earlier this year, 14 troop members lost their lives and others sustained injuries during clashes with the M23 rebel group, as fighting in the Goma region escalated.
The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January 2025 during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma.
The South African soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country. – SAnews.gov.za
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