The revelation was made by Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa, who appeared before Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Friday, standing in for Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, who is currently in Russia.
The primary objective of the commission of inquiry is to investigate the circumstances that led to the deaths of 14 South African soldiers in Goma and to understand why others were held as prisoners of war for at least three months.
Appearing alongside senior officials from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Holomisa told Parliament that it was premature to assess whether the mission had been a success.
'It's too early to declare this operation a success or failure because we were not acting alone. The SADC Secretariat must also provide input on the outcomes of this mission,' Holomisa said.
However, the committee expressed frustration over the limited information provided. Critics noted that, in the Minister's absence, senior SANDF leadership shared only scant details, leaving lawmakers with more questions than answers.
Joint committee co-chairperson Malusi Gigaba said it was too soon for Parliament to decide whether it would initiate its own investigation into the deployment.
At least 18 SAMIDRC soldiers were killed early this year during clashes with the M23 rebel group in the battle to capture the cities of Goma and Sake. Among the dead were two Tanzanian and two Malawian soldiers, with dozens more sustaining injuries.
The SAMIDRC's offensive mission to dislodge M23 rebels began in December 2023. Critics had long warned that the troops were under-equipped and ill-prepared for the complexities of the conflict.
South Africa is reported to have spent over R1.6 billion (approximately $88 million) on the operation.
Mounting pressure from lawmakers and civil society ultimately led to the termination of the SAMIDRC mission in March, allowing for a shift toward diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the rebels and the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi.
Critics argue that the deployment exposed South African soldiers to unnecessary risk and suggest the mission may have been influenced by private interests rather than national security.
The withdrawal of South African troops began in recent weeks, with soldiers and equipment exiting the DRC via Rwanda.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean activist Rutendo Matinyarare has called on the commission of inquiry to broaden its scope by examining the deeper causes of the conflict. He urged investigators to consider the findings in his recent documentary, which explores the historical factors fueling instability in the region, including the persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities who have taken up arms to fight for their rights.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
