South African's defence minister says 93 of its soldiers are being disciplined for offences committed during a United Nations mission in Congo and four of them already have been discharged for sexual misconduct.
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said today the charges involved forces serving under the UN peacekeeping command in rebel-troubled Congo. No cases of misconduct were reported in the South African contingent in Sudan.
In a statement, she said the South African military would not tolerate any cases related to "reported incidences of the abuse of women and children."
She did not elaborate on other offences for which she said "the harshest possible sanction has been handed down."
Mapisa-Nqakala said the military strove to abide by human rights and the right to dignity even in conflict areas.
