SANDU wants culprits identified in Mozambique burning video
The South African
National Defence Union has condemned an incident in Mozambique where
unidentified soldiers burned bodies on a pile of rubble.
It says South African troops who are found to have been involved must face the full might of the law.
In the video which has gone viral, a soldier is seen pouring a liquid over a body as others, including one wearing a South African uniform watch and film the scene on their phones.
The SANDF says the incident is believed to have taken place in November when South African troops took part in a SADC mission to Mozambique.
The defence force is investigating. Pikkie Greeff who is with Sandu says the culprits need to be identified soon.
"It is a contravention of the law of armed conflict internationally, the desecration of bodies. That is not the way, if those bodies are combatant or even innocent civilians in a combatant area then this is not the way that international law requires bodies to be disposed of.
It really constitutes a crime, it's quite disturbing."
Meanwhile, Lobby group Afriforum, the DA and the Freedom Front Plus have called on the Minister of Defence Thandi Modise to take action against SANDF.
AfriForum's Jacques Broodryk believes the minister must recall the commander of the South African forces in Mozambique.
"We are aware that the SANDF has said the incident is being investigated by the force commander of the SADC mission in Mozambique, but we feel this is simply not enough. AfriForum is currently consulting with our legal team to also investigate other possible actions," he says.
FF Plus spokesperson Pieter Groenewald says the minister must provide answers as to why no action has been taken against the SANDF soldiers who may have committed a war crime.
READ: South Africa says probe opened over video of troops burning bodies
"The minister must find out why the incident, which reportedly transpired months ago already, has only come to the Defence Force's attention now after it has been widely shared on social media. Everything seems to point to the incident being a violation of the Geneva Conventions, which makes it a war crime.
“Therefore, government and the Defence Force must be swift to act against the relevant soldiers to demonstrate to the international community that it is serious about addressing the matter," says Groenewald.
The DA's Kobus Marais wants the minister and the chief of the SANDF to immediately institute an inquiry.
"In the meanwhile, the soldiers involved, and their commanding officers should be recalled to SA and must be suspended to allow for unrestricted investigation into this matter.
“The minister must also fully brief Parliament's defence committee on the incident as soon as possible and explain under whose authority and jurisdiction the bodies were burnt and whether those bodies were civilians or combatants.
“What is shown in the video is unacceptable and must be rejected in the strongest possible way. This is another embarrassment and an international blunder under the leadership of Minister Modise and President Ramaphosa."
