Tragedy has struck the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after one of its soldiers reportedly committed suicide while on deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This incident marks the third suicide attempt by the soldier this year and has raised serious concerns about the level of mental health care provided to troops stationed in high-risk zones.
The soldier, whose identity has been withheld until his family is notified, was discovered dead in his tent at SOA Base, a South African military post in the volatile eastern region of the DRC. The incident occurred within the past 24 hours, leaving fellow soldiers shocked and devastated.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the deceased had a long history of emotional and psychological distress. One fellow soldier shared that this was the third time the man had attempted to take his own life in 2025. “After the second attempt, his firearm was confiscated for safety reasons,” the source said, suggesting that military authorities were aware of his deteriorating condition.
However, these measures were ultimately not enough to save him.
Insiders also pointed to severe financial troubles as a potential contributing factor, including substantial gambling debts. According to one colleague, “He owed people a lot of money. Some of us knew he was in trouble, but no one realized how deep the problem really was.”
The SANDF has yet to release an official statement, but an internal investigation is currently underway. Military police and mental health professionals have been deployed to the base to examine the circumstances of the suicide, offer support to fellow soldiers, and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This incident has once again thrown the spotlight on the mental health challenges faced by soldiers, particularly those deployed in high-stress environments far from home. The eastern DRC remains a hotspot for conflict and instability, where SANDF personnel are stationed under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Critics and advocacy groups argue that the SANDF is failing its members by not offering robust and ongoing mental health support. “This young man didn’t just need discipline — he needed empathy, support, and professional psychological care,” said one military welfare advocate. “The fact that he had already tried to take his life twice should have triggered more intensive intervention.”
The soldier’s body is expected to be repatriated to South Africa in the coming days, with arrangements for a military funeral likely to follow. Meanwhile, grief counselling services have been made available to his comrades on the base, who are grappling with the loss.
As investigations unfold, pressure is mounting on the SANDF to take urgent and visible action to address the mental health crisis within its ranks. This tragic death serves as a painful reminder that the battles soldiers face aren’t always on the frontlines — for some, the most dangerous fight is the one within.