JOHANNESBURG, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A South African soldier was killed Monday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when a hand grenade exploded near their sleeping quarters in their base in Beni, a city in northeastern DRC, said the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) Tuesday.
"It is not clear what caused the hand grenade to explode, however, a SANDF board of inquiry including the United Nations officials will be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident," said the SANDF in a statement.
The SANDF said they are in the process of bringing the remains of the soldier to South Africa.
South African Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga sent condolence messages to the bereaved family.
South African soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community contingent which was deployed in the DRC to maintain peace and security in the country. ■
