South Africa recently sent additional troops and military equipment to the Democratic Republic of Congo after losing 14 soldiers there.
This information was confirmed by diplomatic and political sources, as reported by the British news agency Reuters.
South Africa deployed extra troops amid growing concerns that the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo could escalate further.
Flight records indicate that a plane has been making frequent trips between South Africa and Lubumbashi.
A South African parliamentarian told Reuters that between 700 and 800 soldiers had already arrived in Lubumbashi.
MP Chris Hattingh said: “We have been informed that there are troops stationed in Lubumbashi. We have learned that between 700 and 800 soldiers are there.”
Hattingh, who serves as a spokesperson for the ruling Democratic Alliance coalition, added that it is difficult to determine what is happening, as the Parliamentary Military Commission was not informed about these troop movements.
However, a spokesperson for the South African military acknowledged awareness of the troops sent to Lubumbashi but declined to provide further details.
Reports indicate that South Africa has approximately 3,000 troops in the DRC, including those deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission (SAMIDRC).
South Africa is increasing its military presence in the DRC despite mounting pressure on its government to withdraw troops from eastern Congo, as the country has no direct interest in the ongoing conflict.
