Soldiers accused of human rights abuses

The international human rights organisation Amnesty International has asked the South African government to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by members of the country’s defence force.

Mary Rayner, a researcher in Amnesty’s Southern Africa programme told IRIN on Wednesday: “In May and June we were informed by various organisations, including human rights activists and medical personnel that were problems during an SANDF (South African National Defence Force) raid on homes in the Creighton and Ixopo areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The reports we received included allegations of torture and abuse by members whilst conducting the raids.”

Rayner added: “We also received reports that some of those involved wore balaclavas with no clear identification that they were SANDF member.” The SANDF raids were aimed at uncovering illegal weapons in the area.
Rayner said that a resident died as a direct result of SANDF ill-treatment: “From the medical evidence it would seem that Basil Jaca died because of injuries he sustained whilst being tortured.”

Sam Mkhwanazi, a spokesman for the minister of defence told IRIN on Wednesday that six men had been arrested and would be appearing in a Port Sheptone court. “The minister has also asked the chief of the SANDF to investigate these matters further,” he said.

Mkhwanazi added that Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota had written a letter to Amnesty International acknowledging he had received their complaint. The minister stressed that if any members of the SANDF were found to have broken the law, they would be dealt with under South Africa’s legal procedures.