SANDF watching TV instead of antipoaching ???

[Richprins]

http://lowvelder.co.za/244509/sandf-sol ... t-exposed/


Lowvelder spoke to the spokesman for Skukuza Police Station, WO Oubaas Coetzer. He confirmed that a case of intimidation had been opened against Mofula, but said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had already decided not to proceed with the case. “We were informed of the NPA’s decision on December 18,” he said.
Despite this, Coetzer could confirm that the SANDF was busy with a disciplinary investigation against Mofula.
The SANDF didn’t respond to enquiries.

[Duke]

I quote from the Lowvelder Article

Investigators and other role players who deal with rhino poaching in the KNP told Lowvelder that they didn’t view the deployment of the SANDF in the park as a contributing factor in the fight against rhino poaching. “Poachers continue to enter the park within 10 metres of SANDF bases. Suspects who had been apprehended told us so themselves,” one of the sources said.

[Lisbeth]

One day the SANDF are indispensable for antipoaching the next day it would be better without them

[Richprins]

SANDF have not exactly covered themselves in glory during this whole operation, as far as I know. One member shot a ranger by accident 2 years ago, and another was involved in a triangular shooting amongst a ranger, an SAPS member and a soldier many years back..only one survived. A tourist vehicle also entered one of their camps by mistake a few years ago and was in big trouble!

But they are not trained for antipoaching at all, initially. No excuse for this behaviour, though.

They do have a large visible presence on the roads!

[dup]

Hokaai ! we talk about two different types of soldiers, present in the park.
--Spes forces , they work totally different than the standard infantry soldier.They are any day just as good or even better than a police or Sanpark field rangers.
--Infantry, their job is to "hold ground", and not a high skillful job as they need trackers and other specialist to make them effective.
Remember the small units(sections 8-10 men) need very skillful leaders(there is not a lot of them) to be effective.

At least at this stage the pot can't blame the kettle as the SANDF have not yet kill rhino's as the rangers(Pretoriuskop),yet.
These things also happen in the operational area (bush war) and the only solution was strong leadership and clear lines of responsibility.

[Lisbeth]

strong leadership and clear lines of responsibility.

Where is it?

[Toko]

SANDF ill-discipline sticks its head out in Kruger
http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?o ... Itemid=242
Written by defenceWeb, Friday, 16 January 2015

Ill-discipline in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is reaching critical levels, opposition Freedom Front Plus party defence spokesman Pieter Groenewald maintains following an incident in the Kruger National Park where a soldier allegedly verbally abused a ranger.

According to reports, charges of intimidation and racism have been laid against Rifleman Alfons Mosiuwa Mofula of 21 SA Infantry Battalion by SANParks following the December incident. Captain (SAN) Jaco Theunissen, Joint Operations spokesman, said the incident, which happened in December, was also the subject of a military inquiry currently underway.

Groenewald is no longer a member of Parliament’s Defence and Military veterans Portfolio committee but still keeps a weather eye on defence matters with discipline, or the lack of it, one of his major concerns with the South African military.

He points to, in recent times, lapses in discipline involving a major general, allegedly guilty of drunk driving and racism; another senior officer who is said to have threatened police in Oudtshoorn, which Groenewald maintains amounts to sedition, and the now infamous SA Air Force colonel who went shopping in her uniform wearing slippers.

In the Kruger National Park incident an on-duty ranger apparently asked soldiers to assist with an anti-rhino poaching patrol but was told, in no uncertain terms, the soldiers were not going on patrol. They were reportedly watching a soccer match on TV.

Retired Army Major General Johan Jooste, now in overall command of SANParks counter and anti-poaching operations told an Afrikaans Sunday newspaper the incident was “ugly” and it had been reported to police in Kruger.

Groenewald feels not enough is being done by military authorities to discipline those guilty of ill-discipline.

“If this trend is allowed to continue there could be loss of life and the SANDF could land up becoming a threat to itself,” he warned.

In July last year, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula noted that there were “serious problems of discipline within ranks”, a view also shared by her predecessor Lindiwe Sisulu. Mapisa-Nqakula said the problem was getting worse. “While we do have many women and men who are part of a dedicated and disciplined force making us proud everyday, I have also noted growing trends of incidents of indiscipline creeping into our defence force.” She had ordered service chiefs and commanders to “take direct responsibility” for enforcing discipline, reported Sapa.

South African troops have also behaved badly overseas – in June 2013 Mapisa-Nqakula revealed that 93 members of the SANDF serving with the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo had had cases of misconduct brought against them. At least 23 of those cases involved rape, sexual abuse, the assault of women and sexual exploitation. However, only 15 of the 93 soldiers were actually convicted of misconduct.

[Richprins]

dup's point about the special forces vs the run of the mill squaddies serving in Kruger is very valid!

The minister spoke about SANDF justifying enormous spending to protect our "sovereign land" on the weekend...which is very relevant, as armed insurgents enter SA from Moz, nevermind poaching!

It is complicated, but endemic, unfortunately...

But we'll stick to the Kruger story!

[Lisbeth]

At least it is coming out in the open! Whether this serves or not is another question

[Alf]

Thats the problem in our country. The moment someone gets the power they think they are above the law and can do as they please. With that bad attitute he wont get far