|
Soldier kills self after call
18/07/2007 16:34 - (SA)
Thabisile Khoza
Komatipoort - A soldier shot himself dead shortly after receiving a call on his cellphone.
Rifleman Samuel Ramontingawe Kheswa, 35, had been based at the 21st South African Infantry Base (21 SAIB) in Lenasia since 1994.
He was on duty at the Macadamia base near Komatipoort in Mpumalanga when he killed himself on Monday morning.
He shot himself inside his tent with his army issue R5-rifle, said Tonga police spokesperson Mzwandile Nyambi.
"His colleague told the police that he heard a gunshot inside the tent and when he went to investigate he found Kheswa already dead," said Nyambi.
Nyambi could not confirm that Kheswa had marital problems or was due to appear in court.
Kheswa was deployed to the Macadamia for three-and-a-half months.
National army spokesperson Vivian Petrus said hundreds of soldiers were deployed yearly to the Macadamia base to patrol the Lebombo mountains for illegal smugglers and illegal immigrants.
The Lebombo mountains are on the border of South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. Smugglers smuggle across stolen cars, livestock, drugs and even people.
- African Eye
|
News
