South Africa-Mozambique: Probe in video showing soldiers burning corpses

The South African military (SANDF) intervening in Mozambique against jihadists said Tuesday it is investigating the involvement of its soldiers after a video widely shared on social media showed soldiers burning dead bodies.

The command is “investigating the involvement of its members in this despicable act,” the SANDF said in a statement.

“The culprits will be brought to justice.” The widely shared images show soldiers throwing bodies into a fire where at least one other body is already burning. One soldier is seen pouring liquid on the remains while others, including one wearing the South African army sign, watch and film the scene with cell phones. The command believe the incident took place sometime in November 2022.

According to AFP, South Africa’s main opposition party (DA) called the acts a “disgrace” for the country, recalling the existence of international rules for the treatment of the dead “even in conflict zones.”

The northeastern province of Cabo Delgado has been facing insecurity posed by jihadists since 2017. The violence has reportedly already left around 4,500 dead, including nearly 2,000 civilians. The violence has also caused one million people to flee their homes, according to the UN.

More than 3,000 African troops were deployed in 2021 to the poor, Muslim-majority region bordering Tanzania to support the Mozambican army.