DRC 'lovebirds' in court

2003-07-25 21:59

Liela Magnus

Pretoria - The "chronic and serious" disciplinary problems among South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo were a direct result of the "romantic relationship" between a major and a personnel clerk.

Major Elke Pakendorf, the prosecutor in the case of Major Ria Vivier and corporal Neil Sanna being held in the Thaba Tshwane military court, said the poor discipline had taken on "horrendous proportions".

Vivier and Sanna are facing 13 charges, among them assault, public indecency, bringing the military into disrepute, unbecoming behaviour and using threatening language.

Both pleaded not guilty.

Pakendorf said the case was not about an extra-marital affair, but about the influence on the morale of the soldiers.

"If you say the case was about an extra-marital affair, then you can say the Oklahoma bomber should be charged with illegally parking his vehicle."

Worse than extra-marital affair

She said poor discipline and unbecoming behaviour are far worse in the military than an extra-marital affair.

She said Vivier should carry more blame for her actions as her alleged lover because of her rank.

"Adultery is a cowardly and deceitful act... not characteristics we want among senior officers."

She said it was clear that Sanna had a "serious problem" with sergeant Morné Kretshner of the military police. Sanna allegedly assaulted and insulted him. Evidence to the contrary was also heard in court.

The state said the relationship had become an embarrassment to the defence force, because they didn't keep it a secret. Vivier earlier said in evidence that everyone knew about her relationship with Sanna, but that they had been discreet.

Joe Msiza, Vivier and Sanna's legal counsel, said the state witnesses were lying, because Vivier turned down their advances and chose a black man.

Didn't like it

"It's a group of five or six who looked after their own interests and abused military rules. The case is about a white woman and a black man who had an intimate relationship. Some didn't like it and they didn't want to accept it."

He said the group was racist and they didn't mind ruining the careers of Vivier and Sanna.

Pakendorf said that no one had referred to racism in evidence. "What the two accused saw as racism, the defence force saw as maintaining discipline", she said.

Msiza said there had been no evidence that Vivier and Sanna's actions had lowered morale or resulted in poor discipline among the troops.

He said Vivier and Sanna had been open, honest and responsible about their "romantic relationship", but that they were never lovers.

The case has been postponed for sentencing.

- Beeld