Question NW1064 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
23 June 2020 - NW1064
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What (a) total number of cases of misconduct by SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members where civilians have fallen victim has she identified since the beginning of the lockdown on 26 March 2020 and (b) are the full relevant details in this regard; (2) whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the specified SANDF members; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a) There are three (3) reported cases involving members of the SANDF where civilians are involved:
I) Alleged assault case in Alexander involving Mr Khosa who later passed on. (CAS no 353/04/20 (Sv Khosa). An internal investigation in a form of a Board of Inquiry was conducted and finalised. The members allegedly involved were placed on special leave to allow the SAPS investigation to run smoothly and be finalised as well. Allowing SAPS process to proceed will also assist to determine what the cause of death is. It must also be mentioned that another parallel investigation by the Military Ombud would be done as directed by the Minister.
II) SANDF members were captured on social media assaulting a young man in Sebokeng. Those members have since appeared on negative office orders where they were duly reprimanded and warned against such behaviour. An assault case has also been opened under Sebokeng SAPS CAS Number 130/04/20 and is still under investigation thereof. No internal investigation was convened since the matter was handled through the Officer Commanding office orders process.
III) Alleged Common Law Assault in Cato Manor, KZN. This came to the SANDF’s attention when the SAPS investigating officer contacted the Company Commander with a view to interview our members. No internal investigation has been done as this was not reported to us. SAPS is investigating under CAS number 45/04/20.
IV) Alleged Common Law Assault in North West, Ikageng (SAPS CAS 62/05/2020). This incident was reported to us as an altercation between two SANDF members. We will then allow SAPS to carry on with its own investigation on the matter. This will also help determine if there are other people involved or not.
(2) All these cases are still under SAPS investigation, however internal Departmental Board of Enquiries have not been convened, but we understand that the Military Ombud and/or Human Rights Commission are also investigating some of these incidents.