South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers returning from a gruelling 15-month deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are demanding answers — and their money.
Troops who served under the Southern African Development Community Mission (SAMIDRC) allege they’re each owed at least R600,000 in outstanding allowances after receiving far less than the R108,000 per month they say was promised. Many report getting only R34,000 to R58,000 monthly, leaving families out of pocket for months on end.
The South African National Defence Union (Sandu), which has stepped in to represent the soldiers, has labelled the withholding of allowances “illegal” and is urging affected members to pursue formal legal action instead of taking to the streets.
An urgent meeting between the SANDF and Sandu has taken place, but frustration is mounting as no clear timeline has been set for repayments. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), are now calling for transparency on how the mission’s R5 billion budget — plus additional SADC funding — has been spent, warning that troop morale is being eroded by poor financial management.
The row over unpaid allowances comes at a time of broader criticism of the SANDF’s performance in the DRC. Fourteen soldiers lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal amid heavy clashes with M23 rebels, highlighting what some see as deep flaws in the force’s logistical planning and funding.
As pressure mounts, the SANDF has acknowledged the complaints but insists the outstanding payments will be “addressed and clarified.” For the troops who risked their lives, many say clarity is no longer enough — only fair compensation will do.
