AfriForum demands immediate recall of South African forces commander in Mozambique

10 January 2023

The civil rights organisation AfriForum demands an immediate and swift investigation into apparent war crimes in Mozambique. This follows the circulation of a video depicting soldiers throwing bodies onto a burning pile of rubble, a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member can also be seen taking pictures of the grotesque scene. In a letter to the Minister of Defence, Thandi Modise, AfriForum also demanded that the commander of the South African forces in Mozambique be recalled immediately to testify about the shocking events.

According to the organisation this is not the first time South African soldiers have been accused of human rights violations. Several SANDF soldiers have been accused of sexual misconduct during operations in the DRC. Then there was also the case of Collins Khosa, who was beaten to death by soldiers in his own backyard here on home soil.

“We are aware that the SANDF said the incident is being investigated by the force commander of the SADC Mission in Mozambique, but we feel this is simply not enough. AfriForum is currently consulting with our legal team to explore other possible actions as well,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for Community Safety.

Issued by Jacques Broodryk, Spokesperson: Community Safety, AfriForum, 10 January 2023