SANDF soldier and KNP ranger swearing incident exposed

SKUKUZA – A video clip of a conflict between a Kruger National Park (KNP) ranger and an on-duty SANDF soldier has spread on social-media networks. In the clip the soldier clearly displays aggression after the ranger questions his right to be in the rangers’ base in the Kingfisherspruit area.

The war of words, which included accusations of racism, erupted last month when the soldier watched a televised soccer match in the rangers’ base.

A reliable source in poaching structures in the KNP confirmed that the soldier was on duty during the time the match was televised.
Section ranger of Kingfisherspruit, Mr Richard Sowry, confronted the soldier and this resulted in a heated argument. Sowry filmed the incident on his cellphone.

Spokesman for South African National Parks, (SANParks), Mr Ike Phaahla, confirmed the incident. “Due to the nature thereof a complaint was submitted to the SANDF and the SAPS were also called in. A case was opened.” Questions about the visual and verbal content of the video were left unanswered as, according to Phaahla, this formed part of the formal investigation.

The incident took place on Saturday, December 6 when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs played against each other at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

On the video Sowry could be heard asking the soldier, Rifleman Alfons Mosiuwa Mofula, what he was doing at the rangers’ base. Sowry identified himself as Kingfisherspruit’s section ranger, to which Mofula replied, “I don’t f*****g care”. Mofula told Sowry he had no right to scold him, as he wasn’t an SANDF soldier. The latter replied that he would inform his (Mofula’s) superiors. Mofula kept on yelling at him, while Sowry requested Mofula to behave himself. Mofula then called Sowry a racist.

Someone then tried to intervene and talk to Mofula, but he swore at this person. “Leave me the f*** alone.” Sowry later informed Mofula that he had entered a private area. The latter answered that they were deployed in the entire KNP and that he could therefore do whatever he liked.
“I go where I like!” he shouted.

The video ends with Sowry calling Mofula a racist and accusing him of having a bad attitude.

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.

“Regardless of this incident, SANParks would like to reiterate that we value our relationship with the SANDF. The fight against rhino poaching requires that we work with the SANDF, so SAPS and other components of government and civil society that the fight against this scourge is not compromised by an isolated incident between two individuals,” Phaala added.

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.