As of this writing, two thousand South African troops remain surrounded by hostile forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where they had been sent to keep the peace and protect civilians. Fourteen of them are dead:
Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola;
Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi;
Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe;
Corporal Matome Justice Malesa;
Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani;
Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo;
Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo;
Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi;
Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe;
Rifleman Derrick Maluleke;
Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele;
Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi;
Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe; and
Private Peter Jacobus Strydom.†
Since I am a South African American, they were my brothers, and I print their names here in their memory. It's all I can do.
The ANC that sent them there, it seems, has found no way to get their comrades out, or bring their bodies home.
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