BDF records 12 suicides, one homicide in 13 months
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday February 6, 2023 06:00
The army worriedly recorded 12 suicides and a homicide. In one of the major incidents registered by the military from the two that occurred during a SADC mission, a high ranking officer deployed in Mozambique killed a female subordinate before turning the gun on himself.
It is alleged that the two were lovers. In another incident, in early January this year, another army officer deployed on the same mission committed suicide due to unknown reasons.
In July 2021, close to 300 BDF soldiers were deployed to Mozambique as part of the SADC mission to eradicate insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region. Furthermore, amongst other incidents that happened in Botswana, yet another high-ranking officer based at Glen Valley BDF camp allegedly killed his wife three weeks ago.
The officer, who held Lieutenant Colonel rank, was later arraigned before Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court for a single count of murder on January 12. Just a few days later after his arraignment, another soldier, a Lance Corporal aged 39 years based at BDF Donga, committed suicide whilst on duty.
It was not clear as to why he took his own life but there were unconfirmed reports that the deceased was facing a defilement charge. As mentioned above some army officers continue to be linked to social ills and are subjects of local newspapers headlines.
BDF members appear in different courts of law in relations to crimes such as rape, defilement and murder just to mention but a few. Despite the issues raised, BDF senior officials are adamant that they offer psycho-social support to the army officers.
Responding to a questionnaire regarding a string of suicide and murder cases by army officers, BDF spokesperson Mogosi Moshagane acknowledged that recently they experienced a rise in the number of suicide cases.
Therefore, as a result of the recent incidents, he said they have expeditiously taken a deliberate decision to enhance the capacity of the psycho-social support services in the army. He further explained that the decision will extensively reach out to all service personnel and their families both locally and abroad. Moshagane disclosed that since the year 2022 to now, the BDF has recorded a total of 12 suicide cases and one homicide.
“These unfortunate cases remain a concern to the BDF command and leadership, but also to the members of the general public in a view of forgoing. It is once again important for the BDF leadership to reassure members of the public that as an organisation we continue to value and hold in high regard the welfare and well being of our service personnel,” he said.
He elaborated that this is to ensure that they remain focused and effective in the defence of their nation. The BDF spokesperson also stated that the army has never neglected the psychological and social welfare of their members. He emphasised that they will take all necessary measures to ensure prudent psycho-social experiences in the history of their organisation.
Moshagane noted that the military psycho-social support of the soldier is a command responsibility and therefore they process starts with individual commanders at different levels of command to whom the care and welfare of the soldier is entrusted.
“Such process incrementally grows into different specialisations within the organisational support structure of the soldier to include more specialised assistance covering the chaplaincy ,social welfare officers and clinical psychology and psychiatric,” said BDF spokesperson.
He said that owing to the nature of the military service, the BDF has a long standing tradition of offering services such as clinical and psychological support to army officers which are available in all their camps and installations.