South African National Defense Force (SANDF) Soldiers conduct a near ambush on U.S. Army and fellow SANDF personnel while acting as opposition forces, part of Shared Accord 13 July 26 near Alicedale, South Africa. Shared Accord is a biennial training exercise designed to increase capacity and enhance interoperability across the South African and U.S. militaries / Image via Flickr: US Army Africa
SANDF: Probe into Mozambique border shooting completed
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Thursday said despite the incident in which SA National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed to the Mozambique border exchanged gunfire with police from the neighbouring state, the two nations continue to enjoy close co-operation.
South African National Defense Force (SANDF) Soldiers conduct a near ambush on U.S. Army and fellow SANDF personnel while acting as opposition forces, part of Shared Accord 13 July 26 near Alicedale, South Africa. Shared Accord is a biennial training exercise designed to increase capacity and enhance interoperability across the South African and U.S. militaries / Image via Flickr: US Army Africa
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has confirmed that the probe into a clash between SANDF personnel and Mozambique Border Police has been completed.
The minister said she was unable to comment on the findings of the probe until it had been reviewed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
SANDF probe awaiting presidential perusal
The SANDF presence near the border had been largely down to them assisting the South African Police Service in combating cross-border trafficking of illicit goods and people.
In June soldiers from the SANDF opened fire on what proved to be Mozambique Border Police on duty near Ndumo on the border in KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking to journalists in Pretoria on the sidelines of a Women’s Day Parade, Mapisa-Nqakula said a probe into the shooting had been concluded. She could not reveal if the probe found any wrongdoing on either side but reiterated that government branches and security forces of the two countries continued to co-operate closely.
“The report is out … of the investigation that was conducted by our teams, working together with the Mozambicans. However, I am not able to divulge to you the details of the report.
“The report has not been handed over to the commander in chief [Ramaphosa],” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
“However, I need to assure you that we continue to work together with the Mozambicans.
“We will continue to work together in issues of border patrolling, to prevent poaching, and we will forever work together to prevent all criminal activities including cars that are being stolen and driven across the border into Mozambique.
“We continue to collaborate with the [Mozambican] police on the other side of the border,” the minister said.
The joint operations between the SAPS, SANDF and authorities from Mozambique continue the fight against illicit dealings over the border. The probe should reveal why the incident took place and whether there was any criminal liability on either side.
The probe could contain potentially explosive revelations, including the involvement of Mozambique police in cross-border transport of stolen vehicles.
The findings of the investigation may also give insight into exactly what the SANDF’s rules of engagement along South Africa’s borders are, and when the use of lethal force is authorized.
In June, the SANDF confirmed the shooting incident occurred between the South African soldiers and Mozambican Border Police in the area of Ndumo, east of Farazella along the RSA-Mozambique border.
Two members of Mozambique’s border police were killed in the incident, prompting the two sisterly countries to launch investigations.
