INQUIRY TO BE CONDUCTED INTO SA SOLDIER'S DEATH
An inquiry will be conducted after gunmen killed a South African soldier and wounded another in Darfur, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said on Thursday.
"SANDF Chief, General Godfrey Ngwenya, has ordered that a Board of Inquiry be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident," said spokesman Brigadier General Kwena Mangope.
Unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of soldiers while they were on duty at water point about three kilometres from the Kutum base in Sudan.
They killed Corporal Benjamin Titus, 34, and seriously wounded a female soldier.
"Titus was hit and died instantly, while another soldier was also shot and injured... we are not sure on which parts of their body they were shot."
Mangope said details surrounding the incident were still sketchy but the situation around the base was being closely monitored.
The injured soldier was transferred to the United Nations Hospital at Al Fasher and was in a serious but stable condition.
Titus was based at 10 South African Infantry Battalion, Mafikeng, and was deployed to Sudan as a member of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur.
Minister of Defence Charles Nqakula has extended sympathies to his family. Titus is survived by his wife Belinda.
-
30 Octobre 2008 à 12:24 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
