"South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Pretoria will withdraw troops from the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, redirecting military resources to combat domestic gang violence and illegal mining, during South African National Defence Force (SANDF) day celebrations in Thohoyandou on Saturday. "Having assessed our current priorities, I have decided to draw down our participation as a troop-contributing country in the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as MONUSCO," Ramaphosa announced. "This will be done in a phased and well-orchestrated manner to ensure the safe return of our troops and their equipment," he persisted. Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa's strategic autonomy amid global tensions. "The members of the SANDF serve in an era of great geopolitical tension. Our country remains steadfast in our policy of non-alignment. We refuse to be drawn into the spheres of influence of competing global powers." Addressing domestic security and resource allocation, the president proclaimed, "I have authorised the deployment of the SANDF elements to support the South African Police Service in a targeted offensive against brazen criminality, illegal mining, and the ruthless gangs that continue to wreak havoc amongst our communities." "From the Cape Flats to Gauteng, our message is clear: the rule of law will be enforced, and the safety of our citizens will be ensured, even in the Eastern Cape and the northern areas. We will make sure that we root out the gangs," he concluded. Military bands, motorcycle units, and armoured vehicles participated in the parades, with ceremonial cannon salvos marking the occasion. The day serves as a remembrance of the Native Labour Corps who perished in the SS Mendi sinking on February 21, 1917, during the First World War, a key historical and moral landmark for South Africa."