Anderson Cooper's Take On South Africa's Troop Withdrawal Debate
- Helen Zille, Federal Chair of the Democratic Alliance, surprisingly backs Julius Malema’s call to pull South African troops out of the DRC.
- This follows a tragic ambush by the M23 rebel group that claimed the lives of 13 South African soldiers.
- Malema criticized Defense Minister Angie Motshekga and demanded an immediate troop withdrawal—a stance Zille echoed, leaving many social media users astonished.
Tebogo Mokwena, a passionate Briefly News journalist specializing in current affairs, has spent seven years covering critical issues like health, corruption, education, unemployment, labor disputes, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa. His work has appeared in Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, shedding light on both local and international matters.
JOHANNESBURG — In an unexpected twist, Julius Malema, the fiery leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Helen Zille, the respected Federal Chair of the Democratic Alliance (DA), have found common ground. Malema has once again called for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to withdraw its troops from the volatile Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Surprisingly, Zille agreed with him, sparking widespread debate and surprise among South Africans.
Malema's Strong Stance on Troop Withdrawal
On his official X account (@Julius_S_Malema), Malema didn’t hold back. He accused the South African army of surrendering in the face of adversity and slammed Defense Minister Angie Motshekga for missing a crucial portfolio committee meeting. This meeting was postponed due to her absence, further fueling public frustration. Back in 2024, Malema had already demanded the withdrawal of SANDF troops following the deaths of two soldiers just a month after deployment.
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Malema didn’t stop there. He argued that the government must significantly increase the military’s budget to ensure proper training and equipment. He also called for an end to all military equipment tenders, suggesting that Denel, the state-owned entity, should take over the production of military gear. Re-training soldiers, he insisted, was essential to restoring the SANDF’s effectiveness.
“We cannot stand idly by and be complicit in this situation. We must take a stand and demand the immediate withdrawal of our soldiers from the DRC,” Malema declared.
Check out Malema’s X tweet here:
Zille quickly responded by reposting Malema’s tweet on her own X account (@helenzille), acknowledging that she sometimes finds herself agreeing with Malema. Her gesture sparked even more conversation online.
You can read Zille’s X tweet here:
Understanding the DRC Conflict
Key Points to Know
- In a devastating ambush orchestrated by the M23 rebel group, 13 SANDF soldiers lost their lives, sending shockwaves through the nation.
- Rwandan President Paul Kagame warned that Rwanda is prepared to confront South Africa after President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Rwandan forces of aiding the M23 rebels.
- Despite viral videos suggesting otherwise, the SANDF denied claims that its soldiers surrendered during the attack, insisting the footage was misleading.
South Africans Join the Conversation
The public reaction to Zille and Malema’s agreement was nothing short of fascinating. Social media users weighed in with a mix of surprise and approval, recognizing the potential for collaboration between unlikely allies.
Zandy Seal commented:
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“These days, you’re agreeing. You and the young man are the embodiment of the possibilities in our young democracy.”
Andre chimed in:
“Me too. I was foolish not to listen to him on those occasions.”
David (TalkingCents) added:
“Maybe the GNU we all dream of seeing is Helen and Julius.”
Shaded Black playfully remarked:
“Not just sometimes. All the time! It’s good to see you two agreeing so much. The bromance is adorable.”
Tapera ES praised Malema:
“Malema doesn’t mince words. He’s always stood by the truth!”
Chartered Creative (CC) SA kept it simple:
“It will rain.”
Habile offered a hopeful yet cautionary note:
“You guys could move this country forward if you sorted out your differences and egos. But alas, that seems unlikely.”
SANDF Prepares Reinforcements Amid Calls for Withdrawal
In related developments, Briefly News revealed that the SANDF is reportedly gearing up to send reinforcements and additional weapons to the beleaguered soldiers stationed in the DRC. A military source speaking to City Press painted a grim picture, describing the soldiers as being in dire straits. Without access to basic necessities like water and electricity, they desperately need food supplies. Amid these challenges, South Africans continue to demand the withdrawal of their troops, emphasizing the urgency of resolving this crisis.
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