Army investigating their own for lockdown murders

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Army investigating their own for lockdown murders
OVER REACH: The SANDF Military Ombudsman is investigating more than 30 cases of brutality by soldiers during the lockdown. PICTURE BY Twitter

The are 32 cases registered nationwide.


The South African army is currently investigating its own members for a number of murders that occurred during the lockdown.

The cases are being investigated by the Military Ombudsman, the SANDF’s body responsible for the code and conduct of the country’s soldiers.

Ombudsman Vusi Masondo, a retired soldier, will lead the investigation.

He received 32 complaints about bullying and violence meted out by soldiers at members of the public during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Of the 32 cases are 4 murders, where members of the public died after being assaulted by SANDF members.

“All complaints are at different stages of investigation,” Masondo said.

ALSO SEE: SANDF members admit to killing Bushbuckridge man

He said where a case involves various law enforcement agencies occurring during a joint operation “the law enforcement agencies concerned conduct own investigations into their own members”.

The first death under the hands of soldiers was that of Alex resident Collins Khosa – killed by soldiers on Good Friday.

More deaths occurred in Mpumalanga and KZN.

Masondo hopes to conclude all investigations after 8 months.

(edited by MLM)

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