When ill-discipline turns deadly: ‘Strict’ SANDF major may have been murdered
Information has been revealed on the recent death of a South African major in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The South African National Defence Force outside the Union Buildings in Tshwane ahead of the presidential inauguration on 18 June 2024. Picture: GCIS
John Maytham speaks with Helmoed Heitman, Military and Defence analyst.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
Major Tolla Pieterse died last week Monday when a grenade inexplicably exploded in his tent.
According to City Press, the UN regional force in the DRC has classified the dossier on the incident as ‘Death – possibly murder.’
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Reports have come out saying that Pieterse often incurred the wrath of his troops because he was incredibly strict on discipline and would confront soldiers for poor behaviour.
Colleagues of the late major say he definitely would not have pulled the grenade’s pin himself, and there was no reason for one to be in his tent.
Heitman says that SANDF troops are not nearly as disciplined as they should be.
While our combat units are good, he continues, there have been remarks that this unit had a particularly poor reputation.
Heitman says there is also potential that there were one or two ill-disciplined soldiers that have slipped through the system, which has happened before.
“It happens rarely fortunately, but it does happen.”
- Helmoed Heitman, Military and Defence analyst
He adds that discipline and following orders is incredibly important in a combat zone.
“In a combat zone you do not have leeway to fool around.”
- Helmoed Heitman, Military and Defence analyst
Scroll up to listen to the full interview.