A South African soldier, Major Tolla Pieterse who is a part of a United Nations peacekeeping force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has died on Monday when a hand grenade exploded near his sleeping quarters.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in a statement released late on Tuesday said the cause of the hand grenade explosion remains unclear. A board of inquiry, including UN officials, will investigate the incident, which occurred in Beni. The deceased soldier who is 46 years old is survived by a wife and two teenage daughters. Defence officials and leaders offer condolences to the family and defence community.
South African soldiers are deployed in Congo as part of the UN mission MONUSCO and a separate mission by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to assist the government in combating rebel groups.
This latest incident brings the number of South African soldiers killed in Congo to at least seven since February. In June, two soldiers were killed in a mortar attack on an SANDF base in Sake, and one died in a battle with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in May. In April, another soldier died after receiving treatment for unspecified health issues, and two were killed in a mortar attack in February.
Following the February deaths, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa responded to opposition criticism that the troops in Congo were inadequately equipped. The UN force is gradually withdrawing from Congo, with the first stage completed last month. However, no timeline has been set for the next phase, amid escalating clashes in the restive east.
