Pretoria – The Force Commander of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) is investigating “despicable acts” by soldiers caught on camera throwing deceased bodies onto a pile of burning garbage.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Tuesday said: “It was recently made aware of a video clip circulating on social media depicting members in a yet unidentified defence force uniform throwing deceased bodies onto a pile of burning rubble as well as the SANDF member(s) standing around watching them”.
SANDF said the incident was believed to have taken place in November 2022 in Mozambique, where South Africa has committed forces as part of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).
“Once the forces are committed, they form part of a combined force and fall under the command and control of SAMIM. South Africa only supports their mission logistically,” explained SANDF.
“The Force Commander of SAMIM is conducting an investigation surrounding the involvement of its members in this despicable act.
“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.”
Commenting on the matter, the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) said it was, “deeply concerned about the recent video circulating on social media that appears to depict members of the SANDF and members of other unidentified defense forces engaged in activities that are clearly in violation of the law of armed conflict”.
SANDU said the desecration and mistreatment of corpses are strictly prohibited and is a serious violation of international law of armed conflict, to which South Africa is a signatory.
The union said if the offensive video is proven to be authentic, it would constitute a grave and disgraceful breach of international law of armed conflict and would be completely unacceptable.
National Secretary of SANDU Pikkie Greeff, said: “SANDU strongly condemns these actions, as they are completely inconsistent with the values and principles of the SANDF and SANDU, as well as with international law of armed conflict.
“SANDU’s view is that it is imperative that the SANDF investigates this incident expediently, that those responsible are held accountable for their actions and that such investigation is conducted in a fair and impartial manner”.
Greeff added: “We remind all members of the SANDF that they are obligated to comply with international law of armed conflict and any violation thereof is intolerable.
“SANDU will always stand for the protection and promotion of the rights of our members, but will never tolerate such blatant criminality, which brings dishonor and disgrace to the SANDF, the uniform, and South Africa.”
WARNING VIDEO BELOW HAS GRAPHIC CONTENT
