Eritrea brawl sparks army probe
2003-11-21 09:52
Pretoria - The South African defence force has launched an inquiry into a brawl between two South Africans that took place in Asmara, Eritrea.
According to the defence force, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Ngwenya, head of the joint operation, asked for the investigation after hearing of the incident.
The incident took place on Friday, November 14, at the United Nations' centre for mine-sweeping.
The officer involved, Lieutenant-Colonel Jakes Jacobs, and an unidentified South African security contractor for the UN were apparently at the centre, along with local and international UN staff when the brawl broke out.
The contractor was apparently hit in the face, on the neck, head and body.
Other South Africans present stopped the fight.
The defence force has the right to investigate the case, either in South Africa or in Asmara.
If necessary, it could lead to further legal action.
Jacobs is one of 12 South African soldiers who are in Eritrea and Ethiopia as part of an African Union force, that is part of a UN peace operation.