Parties call on govt, SANDF to answer for soldiers filmed burning bodies in Moz

JOHANNESBURG – The Freedom Front Plus says defence minister Thandi Modise should clarify why no motion has been taken in opposition to the South African soldiers allegedly concerned in burning bodies in Mozambique.

The incident was caught on digicam.

In the clip doing the rounds on social media, soldiers stationed in Mozambique can been seen throwing a person’s corpse right into a burning pile of bodies and arbitrary objects.

The video reveals at the least one member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) standing shut by.

The celebration mentioned the soldiers might have dedicated a struggle crime in Mozambique, and questioned why the incident, believed to have taken place in November final yr, was solely being investigated now.

READ: Investigation launched after video of troops burning bodies in Mozambique

‘WAR CRIME’

It mentioned the incident was in violation of the Geneva Conventions, making it a struggle crime.

There are eight struggle crimes that represent grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949.

These embody:

• Wilful killing;

• Torture or inhuman therapy, together with organic experiments;

• Wilfully inflicting nice struggling, or critical damage to physique or well being;

• Extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by army necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly;

• Compelling a prisoner of struggle or different protected particular person to serve in the forces of a hostile Power;

• Wilfully depriving a prisoner of struggle or different protected particular person of the rights of honest and common trial;

• Unlawful deportation or switch or illegal confinement; and

• Taking of hostages.

The celebration identified that the South African soldiers concerned in the incident had been clearly recognisable in the video, as their uniform confirmed the nation’s flag.

READ: AfriForum condemns video of troops burning bodies in Moz as struggle crimes

SANDF RESPONDS

In response to the video, the SANDF calling it despicable.

However, it mentioned for the reason that soldiers had been beneath the management of the southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), they had been those tasked with investigating the matter.

“South Africa only supports their mission logistically,” the SANDF’s assertion learn.

“The SANDF does not condone in any way the acts committed in the video, and those who are found guilty of such acts will be brought to book.”

EFF, DA call for motion

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) additionally condemned the incident.

The EFF known as on authorities to maintain the commander of the SANDF battalion in Mozambique accountable, and to establish the “rogue military service men”.

It vowed to write to the minister accountable for the SANDF to discover out in regards to the steps being taken by the ministry to take care of the matter.

The DA mentioned whereas the soldiers had been beneath the command and management of the SAMIM, they remained SANDF members beneath the authorised deployment of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“There are international standards and regulations for dealing with the bodies of the dead in a dignified and human way even in a conflict zone. Soldiers must adhere to their code of conduct and international standards and practices,” DA defence and army affairs consultant Kobus Marais mentioned.

“The Minister and Chief of the SANDF should immediately institute a Board of Inquiry. In the meanwhile, the soldiers involved, and their commanding officers, should be recalled to SA, and must be suspended.”