Social media is still abuzz after a video – where soldiers in Mozambique can be seen setting bodies alight – this week surfaced on various platforms.

A soldier dressed in a SANDF uniform, identifiable by the camouflage pattern and country’s flag, is seen taking videos of other soldiers throwing a body on a pile of other bodies and various items.

The event reportedly occurred in November 2022, according to a statement by the military that was published earlier this week.

“The SANDF was recently made aware of a video clip circulating on social media depicting members in a yet unidentified defence force uniform throwing deceased bodies in a pile of burning rubble as well as the SANDF
member(s) standing around watching them,” the statement reads.

READ || The SA National Defence Force || Media Statement || Tuesday, 10 January 2023 || Social media video depicting the South African National Defence Force and other unknown Defence Force members engaged in activities against the law of Armed Conflict.#SANDF#DCCMediaLiason pic.twitter.com/bE1iwPfePR

— SA National Defence Force (@SANDF_ZA) January 12, 2023

The SANDF soldiers are reportedly part of the group of forces that have been deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (Samim).

The statement adds that South Africa only ‘supports this mission logistically’ and that the combined force ‘falls under the command and control of Samim’.

“The force commander of Samim is conducting an investigation surrounding the involvement of its members in this despicable act. The SANDF does not condone in anyway the acts committed in the video and those who are found guilty of such acts will be brought to book,” the statement concludes.

The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation chairperson and Namibian President Hage Geingob also issued a statement about the horror events.

“I wish to inform the general public that the Samim leadership has instituted investigations to establish the circumstances on the matter, a result which will be shared once completed. I further wish to categorically underscore that SADC does not condone acts reflected in the video and, once the investigations are completed, SADC will take appropriate measures, in line with international Law of Armed Conflict,” his statement reads.

Geingob also states that the Samim was deployed in the Cabo Delgado province on July 15, 2021 to ‘support the Republic of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism’.