Soldiers accused of killing Collins Khosa set to face disciplinary action

THE FOUR soldiers implicated in the murder of Alexandra township resident Collins Khosa face disciplinary action from the army after they were found guilty by the SA National Defence Force’s Military Ombudsman.

Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-nqakula revealed in Parliament on Wednesday that the Military Ombud had made his findings at the beginning of the month.

The four soldiers are still facing criminal charges in relation to the murder of Khosa during the start of the national lockdown.

Mapisa-nqakula said there were three investigations conducted after Khosa’s death.

It was alleged that the soldiers had attacked Khosa at his house following an argument and he later died of blunt-force trauma to the head.

The minister said the Military Ombud had conducted an investigation into the matter and made his recommendations and findings.

The Military Ombud recommended that the commander of the platoon that was in Alexandra be charged with misconduct together with the soldiers implicated.

In the report, the Ombud also found that the conduct of the soldiers was improper and irregular, and that they were not supposed to have entered the Khosa house without the metro police and the SAPS.

The role of the army was to support the police and metro police to enforce the lockdown, and not to conduct their own operations.

Mapisa-nqakula said after the incident she had instructed the Military Ombud to conduct an investigation.

“On the 5th of August, I have since received the report of the Military Ombud which contains details of investigations and findings.

“Remember, the investigation of the Military Ombud does not deal with the criminal investigation,” said Mapisa-nqakula.