Action over Army School abuse: Report

[MickeyD]

Officials at the Army Infantry School in Oudtshoorn might face disciplinary action or suspension over the physical abuse of recruits, the Saturday Star reported.

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula would act on recommendations by the ombudsman, following a probe at the school, to have the involved officials suspended and others to face disciplinary action.

"Whatever they [the recruits] did, whatever crime was committed, if a crime was committed, you can never justify physical punishment and humiliation," Mapisa-Nqakula was quoted as saying.

The minister said she had written to the chief of the defence force instructing that the recommendations be followed through.

"The ombudsman has good muscles and we have to comply with recommendations," she said.

The department launched a probe at the school after ten army recruits were punished for leaving the base to go to a bar.

On their return they were apparently forced to carry around poles and when anyone dropped the poles, they were beaten with broomsticks.

The minister had previously ordered investigations into the school.

One of these investigations was after a female recruit committed suicide. Mapisa-Nqakula said this investigation was inconclusive.

Source : Sapa /san/aa/mv

 

[MickeyD]

They went AWOL while on an Officer's course... what did they expect would happen if they were caught?

 

[ChilliGirl]

I never went to the army. It was not compulsory for my brothers. From tales older folk have told me....

They got it lightly.

 

[Lightscribe]

The assault with sticks, is against the law and a really stupid crime for any PTI to commit.

The PTI should have slowed the pace, changed the exercise type of punishment to push ups, running, leopard crawling, etc., in order to let them "rest" certain muscles, without giving them an actual break. A person that is reasonably fit, can be kept exercising all day, if done correctly, with very short breaks only.

The punishment should always be constructive.

PS. Humiliation, insofar as puking, crying, begging for relief, is acceptable, as long as they are not laughed at by the PTI's or other troops. In fact other troops laughing, would be immediately ordered to join the punished.

 

[Hemi300c]

Tut tut they don't make them like back in my days.

 

[Lightscribe]

Tut tut they don't make them like back in my days.

True.

 

[rpm]

Amazing. Awol = DB. Carrying poles is a really light sentence, but no idea how they enforce rules nowadays,

 

[Peon]

Wussies, "the sarge was nasty now im gonna complain. I have rights and im speshil."

Good luck having the same discussion with a M23 gunner

 

[ToxicBunny]

They went AWOL and are complaining about a little physical abuse?!?!

Jees, they got off lightly.

 

[Mila]

Tut tut they don't make them like back in my days.

True.

Bloody racist living in an illusion of the good old days.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/532996-Pupils-in-a-pickle-after-drug-raid

 

[zippy]

I never went to the army. It was not compulsory for my brothers. From tales older folk have told me....

They got it lightly.

We never got beaten with broomsticks. Considering at some point we where going to be walking through some really isolated bushveld together, with about 180 rounds of ammunition, a couple of hand grenades etc., beating us with broomsticks would not have been a smart idea

Accidents happen

 

[Lightscribe]

Bloody racist living in an illusion of the good old days.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/532996-Pupils-in-a-pickle-after-drug-raid

With that link going where it does...

First you would have had 6 of the best. Then expulsion. And your parents would have had to put you in a school far away as others schools in town would not have wanted you.

These days the naughty corner is the solution to everything it seems. Everywhere from schools right up to government.

...I assume you meant to add a "smile", "big grin" or "stick out tongue".

If not, then my response is...The soldiers today, with unions and striking and the above type articles, are not interested in their jobs. Yes, assaulting them with broomsticks, is wrong, as I stated already. There's nothing racist about the overall view.

 

[Lightscribe]

We never got beaten with broomsticks. Considering at some point we where going to be walking through some really isolated bushveld together, with about 180 rounds of ammunition, a couple of hand grenades etc., beating us with broomsticks would not have been a smart idea

Accidents happen

Haha! Yes.

 

[MickeyD]

I remember several opvoks in my army days and not once were we hit with anything.

Physically and mentally exhausted, bruised, blistered and bleeding, yes!!!

 

[Mila]

View attachment 52302

With that link going where it does...



...I assume you meant to add a "smile", "big grin" or "stick out tongue".

If not, then my response is...The soldiers today, with unions and striking and the above type articles, are not interested in their jobs. Yes, assaulting them with broomsticks, is wrong, as I stated already. There's nothing racist about the overall view.

I was sarcastic.

Yes asult isn't nice. I'm sure when they are captured and tortured in CAR, they will keep in mind that they are not suppose to be tough on you since you re from SA and you are actually a pink slippered froufrou kind of soldier.

 

[Lightscribe]

The OP article date is 2013-05-25.

07 May 2013

The recruits were allegedly ordered to strip naked during a punitive physical training session, and beaten with broomsticks when they dropped poles.

This was claimed by Pikkie Greeff, South African National Defence Union spokesperson, who said there was now concern the recruit could lose his arm.

...

"We now know 11 recruits were caught out drinking and went awol," said Greeff. "They were given a punitive PT training session, which is outlawed in the defence force. Ten went to the sickbay and one went to a hospital intensive care unit."

...

Mabanga said he had heard allegations that the recruits had been forced to strip naked during the PT session, but he had no confirmation of this as yet.

"At this stage, we are just trying to gather together all the relevant information," he said.

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-07-army-recruit-faces-amputation-after-punitive-physical-training

08 May 2013

On Tuesday, South African National Defence Union spokesperson Pikkie Greeff said the recruits were given physical training (PT) as punishment, which he said was illegal.

Mabanga disputed this and said Greeff was not a member of the SANDF.

"PT can be used as a corrective measure. However, when it is done excessively, whether in training or as punishment, it is not allowed."

...

Greeff said: "It can't go on like this ... It's not a military camp anymore, it's a prison camp." Asked about the hospitalisation of recruits after the training session, Mbanga said he had not heard of this.

"Not to my knowledge," he said.

http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-08-ifp-alleged-oudtshoorn-recruit-abuse-bad-for-army

Punitive exercise is outlawed in the SADF now? :wtf:

 

[Lightscribe]

I was sarcastic.

Yes asult isn't nice. I'm sure when they are captured and tortured in CAR, they will keep in mind that they are not suppose to be tough on you since you re from SA and you are actually a pink slippered froufrou kind of soldier.

Haha! Yes.

 

[Lightscribe]

Our dear SANDF is "encouraging" our soldiers to fight a "war"...

30 August 2012

Army declares war on obese soldiers

Nearly 10% of the SA Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) 60 000 soldiers are overweight or obese, according to the findings of a provisional report that is being circulated among all army personnel.

Percentages in the report are based on information gathered by the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) between April last year and March this year, Afrikaans daily Beeld reported today.

The soldiers are being cautioned that they face potentially life-threatening lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardio-vascular issues if they don’t slim down.

In addition, “the army can simply not be battle-ready with overweight soldiers. Everyone has to know that the fight against obesity is now official,” the report states.

The soldiers are being encouraged to visit dieticians and establish a healthy eating plan and lifestyle.

All members of the SAMHS have to be weighed before Friday, and the statistics will be used in future projects aimed at encouraging army personnel to become more streamlined.

The SAMHS report uses the World Health Organisation’s definition of body mass index.

http://www.citypress.co.za/news/army-declares-war-on-obese-soldiers-20120830-2/

*Shakes head*

 

[Grant]

Our SANDF is little more than sheltered employment I fear !

 

[waynegohl]

When I was punished during my 2 year stint I and a few friends had to pick up stompies from the grounds between the barracks, I bet today the army has garden boys to do that job for them.