Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

SANDF Quietly Pulls Troops Out of DRC as Unpaid Soldiers Threaten Legal Action

Loading player...
As tensions rise in the DRC, the SANDF has started pulling back its troops and gear from Lubumbashi – months after deploying them in a failed bid to support peace efforts in the conflict-ridden North Kivu region. Despite being flown in at great cost, sources say the troops never saw action – and now nearly 3,000 soldiers are threatening to take the SANDF to court over unpaid allowances worth R600,000 each. Flight data shows a quiet but steady extraction of soldiers and equipment using SANDF aircraft, but the Defence Force is tight-lipped. Govan Whittles speaks to Defence Analyst Ricardo Teixeira about what this quiet pull-out really signals.
23 Sep 2025 5PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Profile Feature: Romantha Botha on telling South Africa’s stories

Phemelo is joined in studio by filmmaker, digital creator and speaker Romantha Botha, who uses short-form storytelling to explore South Africa’s history, identity, language and culture. A former journalist, her work includes the Showmax docu-series Sex & Pleasure and kykNET’s Jou Mase Taal. They discuss her journey from journalism to…
15 Oct 3PM 37 min

ACCES 2026 brings Africa’s music industry together

The Music In Africa Foundation is preparing for ACCES 2026, a pan-African music industry platform connecting professionals, showcasing talent and creating opportunities for growth across the continent. The conference focuses on developing the music industry, supporting emerging artists and strengthening the creative economy. Phemelo speaks to Music In Africa Foundation…
15 Oct 2PM 15 min

Zuma’s arms deal corruption trial set for February 2027

Former president Jacob Zuma and French defence company Thales have abandoned further appeals against a ruling clearing the way for the long-delayed arms deal corruption trial to proceed. The National Prosecuting Authority says the trial is now set to begin on 1 February 2027, after more than two decades of…
15 Oct 1PM 9 min

ConCourt ruling on ANC candidate lists raises questions ahead of elections

The Constitutional Court has ordered the IEC to include 181 ANC councillor candidates previously excluded from the party’s lists, after the ANC blamed technical glitches in the commission’s online system. The ruling has raised concerns about the precedent it could set for electoral deadlines, with the DA questioning its implications…
15 Oct 1PM 17 min
All episodes