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Soldiers save mate from croc
12/11/2003 08:32 - (SA)
Erika Gibson , Beeld
Pretoria - A South African soldier in Burundi has narrowly escaped death after a crocodile got hold of him while he was swimming in a lake in Bujumbura.
In a second incident, a South African soldier received severe cuts to his arms when a rebel mortar exploded outside a house in Bujumbura and shattered window shards flew everywhere.
The heroic actions of two comrades saved the first soldier's life.
The Defence Force didn't release his name, but confirmed that he was being treated in 1 Military Hospital in Thaba Tshwane.
The attack occurred a few days ago while the soldiers were visiting a popular bar on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where they regularly swim.
The lake is full of Nile crocodiles, but it's the first time that a crocodile has appeared in the area.
The crocodile grabbed the soldier by the arm and back and tried to drag him into deeper water before his friends managed to free him.
The soldier was taken on an emergency flight to 1 Military Hospital, where his condition has been described as stable.
The second incident occurred when National Liberation Front rebel forces bombarded the outskirts of the city with mortar fire.
Jan van Eck, conflict analyst, says the Burundi government forces returned fire.
Protecting VIP homes
The South African sergeant, whose name also hasn't been announced, is one of the guards who are protecting VIP exiled political leaders and their homes.
His wounds are not life-threatening and he was treated by military medical personnel in Bujumbura.
Van Eck says the Chinese embassy and the home of the American attaché in the city were also attacked, as well as the official residence of President Domitien Ndayizeye.
A guard outside Ndayizeye's home died in the attack and two guards at the attaché's home were injured.
Despite a peace agreement, the situation on the outskirts of the city apparently remains tense.
- Beeld
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