President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced five new appointments to the Military Command Council (MCC), bidding farewell to the controversial chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Solly Shoke.
Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said on Wednesday that Zuma had informed Parliament of the extensions of soldiers fulfilling international obligation.
He said 850 members had been deployed in Darfur, Sudan, for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the African Union and United Nations.
The troops had been deployed in Darfur for the period April 1 2012 to March 31 2013, as part of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (Unamid), and would continue serving in the mission, Maharaj said.
Eleven members had been deployed in the DRC as a special advisory team, from April 1 2012 to March 31 2013.
They help with capacity building of the DRC Defence Force, and would continue for another year.
Congratulations
Maharaj said 1267 SANDF members had been deployed in the DRC from April 1 2012 to March 31 this year.
They take part in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC and would continue in this mission until April next year.
Sixty-seven SANDF members were deployed in the DRC from April 1 2012 to March 31 this year to train the DRC armed forces.
"Our soldiers are doing exceptionally well," said Zuma in a statement.
"We congratulate them and assure them of the support of their compatriots as they continue to contribute to the building of a better Africa, as a force for peace." – Sapa