Investigations have been instituted to determine the circumstances of a video clip in which members of defence forces are seen throwing bodies of deceased people on a pile of burning rubble, President Hage Geingob has announced.

Geingob, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, in a statement on Thursday said the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) was deployed in Cabo Delgado Province in July 2021 to support the Republic of Mozambique to combat terrorism and acts of violent extremism.

Since the deployment of SAMIM, there has been tremendous improvement in the humanitarian and security situation, resulting in the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their areas of origin, he noted.

“In the last few days, however, we have noted with regret a disturbing video clip circulating on social media depicting members of defence forces throwing bodies of deceased people in a pile of burning rubble. I wish to inform the general public that the SAMIM leadership has instituted investigations to establish the circumstances on the matter, the result of which will be shared once completed,” Geingob said.

He further noted that SADC does not condone the acts in the video and that appropriate measures, in line with the international Law of Armed Conflict, will be taken once investigations are completed.

Geingob said SADC will continue to support the Republic of Mozambique, through SAMIM, in combating terrorism and acts of violent extremism by neutralising the terrorist threat and restoring security.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency