PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has paid tribute to three Free State soldiers who were among the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last month while on a multinational peacekeeping mission.
Delivering her State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Bloemfontein on Friday, the premier described the deaths of the troops as a tragic and devastating loss to the province and the country.
She identified the three fallen heroes as Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi from Unit 1 Extension in Selosesha, Thaba-Nchu, Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele from Paul Roux and Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe from C Section in Botshabelo.
“We have gathered here today as a country and province, mourning the tragic and devastating loss of 14 members of the South African National Defence Force, of whom three are from the Free State,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
She praised the soldiers for their bravery and commitment to peace, highlighting that their mission in the eastern DRC was part of a broader multinational effort to stabilise the region amidst ongoing conflict between the DRC army and M23 rebels.
“These selfless and courageous soldiers were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the premier added.
In a separate development, Letsoha-Mathae also announced her office’s plans to rebury two freedom fighters from the Free State who died in exile during the apartheid era.
The remains of the two struggle heroes, Ishmael Mahlomola Leoatle and Johannes Sabata Thauthau, will be reburied in Bloemfontein.
Leoatle, who died in Zimbabwe, was a product of the 1976 student uprisings and later joined the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) as part of the Madinoga Detachment.
Thauthau, who passed away in Zambia, was among the earliest members of MK and part of the Luthuli Detachment, responding to the ANC’s call to form military units in preparation for armed resistance against apartheid.
“The homecoming and the reburial of the two freedom fighters from the Free State will take place after consultations with the affected families,” Letsoha-Mathae stated.
In honour of military veterans and their families, the premier further revealed that her office, in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, will re-establish a unit dedicated to addressing the welfare of military veterans.
“We will honour our veterans,” she said. – Staff Reporter