The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has named Sergeant Mbulelo Ngubane as the soldier who died in the line of duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last Thursday.
Ngubane was killed at Sake in the DRC following a clash between M23 rebels and SADC forces.
SANDF NAMES SOLDIER KILLED IN DRC
On Thursday, the SANDF said Ngubane was an operational medical practitioner in the SA Military Health Service. He was unfortunately killed when an ambulance in which he was tending to injured members was attacked.
The defence force the vehicle was clearly marked with large medical symbols on both sides and top to indicate it was a medical vehicle.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the unfortunate incident occurred even though the Geneva Convention on Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) stipulates that categories of protected persons and objects like medical personnel, medical transport in particular, and other establishment of this nature during an armed conflict.
“This act goes against established international norms in the conduct of armed conflict,” Dlamini said.
Details of the memorial service and the funeral for the deceased SANDF member have not yet been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Thandi Modise has sent her condolences to the deceased member’s family, friends, and colleagues.