SA Navy recruit dies from hypothermia near Oudtshoorn

SANDF accused of using ‘draconian’ training methods 

The South African National Defence Force Union on Tuesday said that it has received numerous complaints of harsh training programmes being used in the defence force.

A navy recruit died last week, apparently from hypothermia, while training near Oudtshoorn.

The union’s Pikkie Greef said he has been inundated with complaints from defence force members regarding what he calls “draconian training methods”.

“One of the examples is that some soldiers were forced to lie on the ground while an entire platoon ran across their backs and legs,” he said.

In another case, according to Greef, a soldier in Hoedspruit was left injured following training and had to be discharged from the army. The former SANDF member is now suing.

However, the defence ministry’s Siphiwe Dlamini said, “We at all costs do not use any draconian ways of training.” 

Unioncalls for independent probe into navy recruit’s death 

The South African National Defence Force Union has said it wants an independent investigation into the death of a navy recruit in Oudtshoorn.

The man passed away last week during a training exercise.

It is thought he died from hypothermia.

The union’s Pikkie Greef said, “What is odd about this thing is that hypothermia will only kick in once a person has been exposed for a considerable time to cold and more specifically, cold water.”

The defence ministry’s Siphiwe Dlamini said an internal probe has been launched.

“We are still awaiting a report on the circumstances surrounding this matter,” he said.

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