4 top SANDF staff on sex raps
2005-03-15 07:22
Pretoria - A South African National Defence Force battalion commander, who was allegedly involved in sexual misconduct while stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will probably be returned to South Africa.
This brings to four the number of senior commanders in the DRC being investigated for similar charges by either the United Nations or the SANDF.
The alleged misconduct includes drunkenness and fighting in Congolese nightclubs, promoting prostitution and sexual assault.
The defence force confirmed on Monday that the UN was investigating charges against "a member of the South African contingent in the DRC".
The outcome of the investigation will determine the soldier's fate.
Meanwhile, battalion commander Colonel Victor White, infantry regiment commander in Durban, will be replaced by another South African commander.
Rapped over the knuckles
Police apparently arrested White a few weeks ago after "trouble" in a nightclub in Goma, where he was stationed.
He was apparently rapped over the knuckles soon afterwards by the acting commander of the UN peace force in the DRC and informed that an investigation had been launched against him.
Photos of White and Congolese escorts were apparently handed to the UN, along with complaints by those under his command.
The UN's action against the South Africans comes after Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently banned sexual exploitation of the local population by peace-force troops.
A special task force has been appointed to investigate these activities, in which about 150 UN soldiers are involved.
White, a former commander of 5 SA Infantry Battalion at Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, and five other senior officers, were found not guilty after a military inquiry into alleged cribbing during a staff course two years ago.
Despite several allegations of irregularities levelled against him over several months, he was promoted to colonel at the beginning of January. Another commander was also recently promoted to colonel.
Allegations against the four commanders include them using a military vehicle to go on holiday.
Beter prices with prostitutes
A young recruit allegedly became pregnant during her training, although falling pregnant during training was against regulations. However, she was not suspended.
Another commander allegedly negotiated better prices for the services of local prostitutes with a DRC governor. Soldiers were told about the prices during roll-call one morning.
Woman South African troops also laid charges against some of the commanders.
A high-level team of defence force senior members has just returned from the DRC where they verified some of the charges.