Sex major 'not the only one'

2003-08-17 21:01

Marida Fitzpatrick

Johannesburg - A female major, who had an intimate relationship with a married corporal, was apparently not the only officer who took a bite from the forbidden fruit.

Major Ria Vivier, 48, whose relationship with corporal Neil Sanna, 27, led to her being sentenced to cashiering, said in an television interview on Sunday that other officers "definitely" had intimate relationships with Congolese women.

"Nobody can deny it. And nothing happened to those people. Why was I singled out?"

Vivier maintained that she was innocent and the victim of racism and sexism.

"I can still not believe that a group of people can go so far as to destroy my career and part of my life."

She insisted that her relationship with Sanna, who was dismissed from the defence force, was nothing more than an "intimate friendship".

She said the white men could not handle her choosing a black man's friendship above their own.

"We (Vivier and Sanna) were always together and formed a couple - in a friendly manner."

'Intimate friendship'

She said the "intimate friendship" between her and Sanna became a focal point because she is a woman and because the friendship was across the colour line.

"Nobody bothered the other officers who had relationships with Congolese women."

Proud to be a soldier

While Vivier is waiting for a decision on her appeal, she is still carrying out her normal duties as defence force officer.

"I am still proud to be a soldier. I try not to think about the ruling or the battle ahead too much."

If the appeal ruling goes against Vivier, she will be the first female officer to be dishonourably discharged from the army.

She said she would not accept the "devastating" sentence. "If I was guilty, I could have accepted it, but I am not and therefore I am devastated."

- Beeld