Question NW719 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Share this page:

02 May 2017 - NW719

Profile picture: McLoughlin, Mr AR

McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) What are the names and ranks of the three members of the SA National Defence Force who were recently arrested in Mozambique, (b) why were they in Mozambique, (c) for what crimes or alleged crimes were they arrested, (d) what were the terms of their release and (e)(i) who negotiated the terms of their release and (ii) on whose authority were the negotiations done?

Reply:

(a) There are two members who were arrested at Mozambican Police and their names are Capt J. Boonzaier and Cpl T Nhlapho.

(b) They were arrested on the alleged charges of trespassing the borderline between Ndumo and Farazela on 20 July 2016.

(c) The two SANDF members were reacting to the Air Reconnaissance Personnel who spotted a vehicle loading the equipment in the disputed borderline area called Nkonjane.

(d) The two SANDF members were released unconditionally after the intervention of the Defence Attache’ on 22 July 2016. The Defence Attache’ is mandated by South African Government on matters of Defence Diplomacy to intervene in order to seek diplomatic solution.

Source file