S. Africa death toll in C. Africa coup rises to 15

CAPE TOWN (AFP) - South Africa said Wednesday that the death toll arising from its deployment to coup-hit Central African Republic has risen to 15.

Thirteen soldiers were killed and 27 wounded as rebels moved on Bangui which fell on March 24.

But two others have since succumbed to their wounds with the latest dying at a Pretoria military hospital on Monday, the defence force said.

Another soldier died last month.

The deaths marked South Africa's worst military loss since the fall of apartheid.

South Africa's government faced a backlash over the deployment of troops to Central Africa, amid accusations of deals with ousted leader Francois Bozize and ruling party business interests.

Any wrongdoing has been strongly denied.