The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says an investigation is underway looking at the circumstances surrounding a video circulated on social media showing troops wearing an unidentified defence force uniform throwing dead bodies into a pile of burning rubble.
A SANDF member can apparently be seen watching.
The incident appears to have taken place on 29 November 2022 near Nkonga village, in the Nangade district of Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province where a regional force SAMIM and Rwandan troops have been fighting Jihadi forces of Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jamaah (ASWJ)- affiliated to the Islamic State- since July 2021.
“The incident is believed to have taken place in November 2022 in Mozambique, where South Africa has committed forces as part of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Mission in Mozambique [Samim], said the SANDF.
“Once the forces are committed, they form part of a combined force and fall under the command and control of Samim. South Africa only supports their mission logistically.
“The force commander of Samim is conducting an investigation surrounding the involvement of its members in this despicable act. It has condemned the acts and says those who are found guilty will be brought to book.”
South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), called the acts a “disgrace” for the country in a statement, recalling the existence of international rules for the treatment of the dead “even in conflict zones”.
The northern province of Cabo Delgado has been plagued since 2017 by jihadist violence that has left nearly 4,500 dead, including nearly 2,000 civilians, according to the NGO Acled, which collects data in conflict zones. The violence has caused one million people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations (UN).
More than 3000 African troops were deployed to Mozambique. Violence has decreased in intensity, but sporadic attacks continue.
Source: Eyewitness New, Times Live, Africa News, Daily Maverick, image from Twitter: @2oceansvi