President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a week of mourning for the 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Opening his ninth State Of the Nation Address (SONA), Ramaphosa declared the flags will be flown at half mast in honour of: 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.

"They lost their lives, not in the pursuit of resources of power. They lost their lives so that guns on our continent may be forever silenced. So we salute them," Ramaphosa said.

The soldiers' bodies were due to be repatriated to South Africa on Wednesday. However, the SANDF yesterday stated that all administrative processes were completed and handed over to the United Nations.

"The United Nations planned movement for the repatriation of the deceased out of the combat zone has been delayed," explained SANDF head of communications, Siphiwe Dlamini.

The soldiers were part of a 16-member force involved in a peacekeeping mission in the DRC.

Cape Times