The three most recent continental peace mission deployments by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) cost more than R6.5 billion over the last four financial years, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has revealed.
The figures were supplied to Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Chris Hattingh in response to a parliamentary question. They reveal that the biggest expense was – understandably – on the United Nations (UN) mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ground and air elements of the SANDF have been deployed to since 1999. MONUSCO consumed more than R2.54 billion over the four-year period between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 financial years. South Africa’s involvement in assisting peace efforts in the DRC continue as part of the UN mission.
Second highest expense was on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). The mission wrapped up operations in mid-2024 with South Africa spending R2.51 billion between 2021/22 and 2024/25 on troops and equipment in the ten-country peacekeeping operation centred around Mozambique’s restive Cabo Delgado province.
SAMIDRC, also a SADC mission but in the DRC, was terminated in mid-March this year ahead of its scheduled December end of mandate following the fall of Goma to M23 rebels. It saw South Africa spend R161 million in 2023/24, and R1.3 billion in 2024/25. Motshekga’s reply lists the 2025/26 SAMIDRC cost as being R1.3 billion, but now that the mission has been terminated it is not clear if all this money will be spent. South Africa was the main troop and equipment contributor alongside Malawi and Tanzania to the regional bloc mission.
Breakdowns provided in the ministerial response show the UN DRC mission cost South Africa just on R1.4 billion in wages and salaries over the last four years with what is termed “machinery and equipment” accounting for another R98 million. Against this there is income from the United Nations for services supplied, with South Africa receiving R2.1 billion over the four-year period and R75.3 million outstanding since 2021/22.
South Africa was paid just short of R450 million by the SADC for its services as part of SAMIM with zero outstanding.
As far as SAMIDRC goes, South Africa received R865 million from the regional bloc to settle its account.
Given the lack of transport suitable for moving equipment and personnel over long distances in the SANDF, it came as no surprise for Motshekga to inform her questioner close to R1.6 billion was paid for air, land and sea transport to support all three missions over the last four years, with airlift at R1.5 billion responsible for by far the bulk of this expense.
