The family of one of the South African soldiers, that have been deployed to conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has expressed concern about the safety of their son.

The family from Mahikeng in the North West say they have struggled to communicate with their loved one after 14 SANDF soldiers were killed in the DRC two weeks ago.

The family says they thought their son was among those who were killed after several failed attempts to communicate with him following the incident.

The soldier’s aunt, who wants to remain anonymous, elaborates, “So, when we tried to communicate with him it gave one tick again. We kept on trying to talk to him through WhatsApp and we couldn’t even find him. Then quite after a long time he responded to us, he said I am alive. So, they demolished where we were staying, our tents and everything. So, he was in the bush, the time when he came, he saw everything was a mess then he went straight to the bush and stayed there.”

Meanwhile, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi says they will visit the family of Itumeleng Moreo, one of the soldiers killed in DRC, who hails from Mahikeng.

“We will be visiting the family next week from the provincial government executive will be going there. Members of the legislature will be going there. We have also been in touch with the mother.”