"THE problem in South Africa is that everyone wants to run the country."
These were President Jacob Zuma's words at Swartkop Air Force Base in Pretoria yesterday at the memorial service for the 13 soldiers who were killed in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Zuma used the memorial service to placate his detractors and address the controversy surrounding the mission.
"Let me emphasise that we reject any insinuation that these soldiers were sent to the CAR for any reason other than in pursuit of national interest and the interests of the African continent," Zuma said.
He said the mission was agreed on in February 2007 where the soldiers would, among other things, help in training the soldiers of the landlocked country.
"When the security situation deteriorated towards the end of 2012, we sent 200 more soldiers," he said adding that the soldiers were also there to protect the other troops on the training missions.
He also said a country could not make public details about any military operations in the way that South Africans are calling for since the tragedy.
Thembisile Jelembe, a family member of one of the dead soldiers, who spoke on behalf of the mourning families, expressed their thanks to the SA National Defence Force for its assistance.
"By the time we received the news of the deaths of our brothers, fathers and sons, we were saddened but we remained strong because of the support we got," Jelembe said.
The grieving families were able to hold back their tears throughout the ceremony but when they were asked to light a candle next to the name and picture of their kin women could be heard wailing.
The families were told about what happened during the soldiers' final moments in the battle.
Major Steven Jiyani, the commander who led the force in the CAR, gave details of how the rebels ambushed and surrounded them at their base. "These are all the descendants of the great warriors of SA. South Africa cannot ask for more. They out-did themselves. They fought ferociously like lions. They applied the correct battle drills and tactics. At no moment did they crumble," he said.
The families heard how the soldiers were outnumbered.
"It is regrettable that I have lost 13 soldiers," he said, adding that all he wanted was the country and the president to give his troops a "decent burial".
There will be individual burials for the dead soldiers.
l Parliament will convene a meeting tomorrow to deliberate on events in the CAR in which the soldiers were killed.
ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo said yesterday the joint standing committee on defence would meet despite Parliament currently being in recess.
lSee Page 13
Zuma hits out at CAR mission detractors
"THE problem in South Africa is that everyone wants to run the country."
These were President Jacob Zuma's words at Swartkop Air Force Base in Pretoria yesterday at the memorial service for the 13 soldiers who were killed in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Zuma used the memorial service to placate his detractors and address the controversy surrounding the mission.
"Let me emphasise that we reject any insinuation that these soldiers were sent to the CAR for any reason other than in pursuit of national interest and the interests of the African continent," Zuma said.
He said the mission was agreed on in February 2007 where the soldiers would, among other things, help in training the soldiers of the landlocked country.
"When the security situation deteriorated towards the end of 2012, we sent 200 more soldiers," he said adding that the soldiers were also there to protect the other troops on the training missions.
He also said a country could not make public details about any military operations in the way that South Africans are calling for since the tragedy.
Thembisile Jelembe, a family member of one of the dead soldiers, who spoke on behalf of the mourning families, expressed their thanks to the SA National Defence Force for its assistance.
"By the time we received the news of the deaths of our brothers, fathers and sons, we were saddened but we remained strong because of the support we got," Jelembe said.
The grieving families were able to hold back their tears throughout the ceremony but when they were asked to light a candle next to the name and picture of their kin women could be heard wailing.
The families were told about what happened during the soldiers' final moments in the battle.
Major Steven Jiyani, the commander who led the force in the CAR, gave details of how the rebels ambushed and surrounded them at their base. "These are all the descendants of the great warriors of SA. South Africa cannot ask for more. They out-did themselves. They fought ferociously like lions. They applied the correct battle drills and tactics. At no moment did they crumble," he said.
The families heard how the soldiers were outnumbered.
"It is regrettable that I have lost 13 soldiers," he said, adding that all he wanted was the country and the president to give his troops a "decent burial".
There will be individual burials for the dead soldiers.
l Parliament will convene a meeting tomorrow to deliberate on events in the CAR in which the soldiers were killed.
ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo said yesterday the joint standing committee on defence would meet despite Parliament currently being in recess.
lSee Page 13
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