"The South African government, as is with all AU member states, will never countenance any attempt aimed at the unconstitutional transfer of power from the legitimate transitional government of the DRC.
In this regard, the South African Government is heartened by the knowledge that the DRC Government has brought the situation under control," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The statement added that the government was convinced that the apparent plotters were a tiny minority in its body politic.
"The South African Government remains convinced that the majority of the people of the DRC are firmly behind efforts by the leaders of the DRC to help bring about the dawn of peace, freedom, stability and democracy. South Africa will continue to act together with the African leadership collectively to ensure the consolidation of peace efforts in the DRC," the statement concluded.
Reports from Kinshasa said government forces there had defeated what diplomats were calling a coup attempt against President Joseph Kabila.
The assault, waking the crowded city to gunfire, represented the first major threat to a year-old power-sharing government meant to reunify and stabilise Africa's third-largest nation after a 5-year-old war that killed an estimated three million people.
Fighters loyal to Congo's late Cold War dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, were among those behind the attempt, British Ambassador Jim Atkinson told The Associated Press.
Agence France-Presse reported that the insurgents attacked four military bases around the city.
One soldier was killed and two others injured in the attacks, Information Minister Vital Kamerhe afterwards announced on state television.
Congolese forces apprehended 12 assailants, adding that others, dressed in civilian clothing, disappeared into the city with their weapons. – Sapa.
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