Pretoria – South African soldiers have been at the forefront of attacks on rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and were instrumental, along with a UN force, in repelling the M23 rebels as they rained rockets on the town of Goma.

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The Sunday Times reported that a visit to the front line at Kibumba on Saturday, made it possible to piece together the events of last week. South African National Defence Force commander Colonel Patrick Dube also confirmed that his troops played a leading role in repelling the rebels.

Congolese troops said support from South African troops had been invaluable. “We fought with the South Africans yesterday and today,” said one soldier near the frontline on Thursday.

Local commanders said the number of South African soldiers wounded had risen to five, but SANDF spokesperson Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said yesterday the official figure remained at three.

After a lull of almost a month, fresh fighting broke out recently when the rebels attacked Congolese army positions outside Goma. The battle erupted in earnest on Wednesday when the rebels launched another bid to take Goma. Throughout Wednesday, Russian Hind attack helicopters, supported by South African Oryx helicopters, flew sorties over the enemy positions.

The air attacks were supported by Tanzanian artillery and South African mortar and reconnaissance teams. South African snipers reportedly killed six rebel commanders. Later in the day, a South African C130 Hercules transport aircraft landed at Goma, bringing in more ammunition.

The region is reportedly on a knife-edge, which is threatening to escalate into an all-out war.