South Africa disciplines 93 soldiers on a UN mission, 4 discharged for sexual misconduct
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
South African's defense minister says 93 of its soldiers are being disciplined for offenses committed during a United Nations mission in Congo and four of them already have been discharged for sexual misconduct.
Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said Wednesday the charges involved forces serving under the U.N. 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."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
She did not elaborate on other offenses 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.