Four more South African soldiers have been killed in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing the total number of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members killed in the region to 13 in less than a week.

Last Friday, nine South African soldiers died during intense fighting with M23 rebels, who claim to have taken control of Goma.

Meanwhile, the SANDF has since met with the families of the soldiers killed last week.

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini says the timeline for repatriating the soldiers’ remains is unclear.

Dlamini says, “What we have done since the loss of lives is dispatch our chaplains, general personnel, social workers, and psychologists to visit the families, inform them, and provide support in whichever way, including spiritually. We are now waiting to ensure that the remains of our members are prepared in Goma and repatriated back to South Africa. I am not in a position to tell you when exactly they will be repatriated.”

DRC Conflict | ‘Political mediation and the military needed to resolve crisis’:

BREAKING NEWS: Four more SANDF have been killed in a gun battle with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. pic.twitter.com/311gd6EHoB

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 28, 2025

Lates news from Goma. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/mAWwNhMtKE

— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) January 28, 2025

The latest on the death toll in Goma. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/1kMyd1AnZc

— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) January 28, 2025