Four soldiers deployed to the Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga are under investigation after a local man died following a violent assault linked to an allegedly stolen Xbox.
According to Rapport, the soldiers — off duty and not in uniform at the time — allegedly attacked the man with golf clubs and a knobkerrie. He was later taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The same night, around 02:00, the soldiers allegedly forced entry into the home of Thabo Nkosi, an Eskom contractor’s employee. Nkosi said they accused him of theft, demanded to know where the Xbox was, and gave him no chance to explain. He fled and hid in an unoccupied house until morning, before reporting the incident to police with his father.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala confirmed that police in Ermelo were holding four soldiers in connection with the case. Three are reported to be regular force members, and one from the reserve force. Tshabalala stressed that the men were off duty and acted in their personal capacity.
“The SA Army will fully support and cooperate with the SAPS in the ongoing investigation. The military remains committed to upholding the rule of law and maintaining discipline within its ranks,” Tshabalala said.