Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie orders South Africa to go teach M23 a lesson.
This comes after 14 South African soldiers died in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The soldiers died in a confrontation with the M23 rebel group in the DRC.
The incident occurred while the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
Whilst the families grieve, the South African government emphasised that the country’s military presence in the DRC is not to declare war, but rather a way of maintaining peace and security.
Talking at the parliament, Gayton said that politicians should not be debating about this while people have lost their lives and their families waiting for answers. ‘This debate should’ve been made when our soldiers are back. We have been humiliated! And we must teach people: when you kill a South African, there will be consequences,” he said.
Users took to X (previously known as Twitter) and shared their views while they claimed that he needed to get a better underrating of the M23 before initiating war.
You, Gayton McKenzie, criticizing without understanding M23’s cause is like shouting into a void. M23 doesn’t want to take over. They just want to defend themselves when attacked. Dialogue is the key, not adding more military forces.
— Evariste MURWANASHYAKA (@evaristemur) February 10, 2025
Minister McKenzie seems unaware of the true dynamics of the M23 conflict. He does not understand what he is talking about or why these young people are fighting. His remarks reflect a lack of depth on a crucial issue affecting millions in the Great Lakes region.
— Son of Africa 🌍🇹🇿🇧🇮🇨🇩🇰🇪🇷🇼🇺🇬 (@KarakeWiSake) February 10, 2025
Another user stressed that we have enough problems at home (South Africa) so going to war is really not needed.
I always had a suspicion that you are not bright! You have just confirmed it for me.
With what money, what army? You’ll send the youth to die and for what? Mining rights?
We have enough problems at home.
— ☦️ Pandamonium (@_Panda_mo_nium_) February 10, 2025
