An investigation into "excessive abuse" at Oudtshoorn Army Infantry School recommended suspensions or disciplinary action.
|||Cape Town - Heads could roll at the Oudtshoorn Army Infantry School after an investigation into “excessive abuse” there recommended that some officials be suspended and internal disciplinary action be taken against others.
The investigation into an incident at the school earlier this month, in which 10 recruits were punished by being forced to carry heavy poles, stripped naked and beaten with broomsticks, has been completed by the military ombudsman and handed to Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
It was reported that the 10 left the base to go to a bar.
When they returned they were subjected to heavy physical punishment, which left many needing medical attention and one in danger of losing the use of his arm.
Mapisa-Nqakula told a media briefing yesterday that the report had recommended suspensions and disciplinary action, but that those involved had not yet been informed.
She said she had received the report, and written to the chief of the defence force to act on the recommendations.
It was her opinion that the recruits had been subjected to “excessive abuse”.
“Whatever they did, whatever crime was committed, if a crime was committed, you can never justify physical punishment and humiliation,” she said.
Mapisa-Nqakula also confirmed reports that the 10 had been stripped naked for part of the punishment.
She said the report, having been compiled by the ombudsman, did not leave any room for appeal.
“The ombudsman has good muscles and we have to comply with recommendations,” she said.
The minister also noted that the investigation into discipline at the base came after two earlier investigations into conduct there were ordered, following the suicide of a recruit last year.
The results of the first investigation into the suicide of a woman recruit in October had been “inconclusive”, Mapisa-Nqakula said, and she ordered a new investigation.
The minister said earlier this week that the results of this new, wider investigation into deaths at the base had landed on her desk the same day as the reports of the abuse of the 10 recruits.
The minister said the investigation had pointed to a lack of adherence to safety measures during training, and the inability of the unit’s board of inquiry to conduct “quality and conclusive investigations”, with many investigations dating as far back as 2009 left open or under review.
Weekend Argus