South Africa Probes Soldiers' Involvement In Viral Corpse Burning Video

South Africa has opened an investigation in response to a video that showed some of its troops dumping corpses onto a pile of burning rubble, the South African military confirmed Tuesday.

The incident is believed to have taken place in November 2022 in Mozambique, where South Africa deployed its forces as part of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) mission in the country.

In a short statement, the SANDF (South African National Defence Force) strongly condemned the incident and called for a full and thorough investigation.

"The SANDF was recently made aware of a video clip circulating on social media depicting members in a yet unidentified defense force uniform throwing deceased bodies in a pile of burning rubble as well as the SANDF member(s) standing around watching them," the statement read, as per Cape Town ETC.

The disturbing video circulating on social media platforms shows soldiers throwing a dead body over a pile of burning debris, where another corpse is already lying. A soldier is seen pouring a liquid over the body as others watch and film the scene on their mobile phones, including one wearing a South African military uniform.

SANDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Andries Mokoena Mahapa, explained that the SANDF forces are committed and they join a combined force under SAMIM's command. He further added that South Africa only supports their mission logistically and that the force commander of SAMIM was conducting an investigation into the members' involvement in this act.

"The SANDF does not condone in any way the acts committed in the video and those who are found guilty of such acts will be brought to book," said the General, as reported by Deccan Herald.

Also, The SA National Defence Union (Sandu) said that if the video on social media is authentic and shows SANDF members engaging in activities that breach international law, it would be completely unacceptable.

SANDU called on the South African National Defence Force to investigate the incident as soon as possible so that those responsible can be held accountable for their actions. It further noted that the investigation needs to be conducted fairly and without bias.

"We strongly request that you immediately recall the commander of the South African forces in Mozambique to testify as to the details surrounding this particular event," said AfriForum's head of policy and action, Ernst Roets, in a letter addressed to defense and military veterans minister Thandi Modise.

The South African troops are a part of a 16-nation SADC mission (SAMIM) that started last July to help support Mozambique in its fight against jihadism in Cabo Delgado, which is located in the northern province.

Besides South Africa, other countries contributing troops include Angola, Botswana, Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.