Two South African soldiers guarding the home of a Burundi minister were wounded on Sunday when a shell exploded in their vicinity, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed on Sunday.
Both were part of the 700-strong SA Protection Support Detachment deployed to the country in November to guard returning political exiles.
One of these soldiers was due to be evacuated for treatment in South Africa later on Sunday, SANDF representative Colonel John Rolt said.
The other would be treated at a South African military medical facility in Bujumbura. Four civilians and a government soldier were also shot.
Reports from Bujumbura indicate the two were injured in an attack launched by insurgents at dawn. Government troops responded with rifle, artillery and mortar fire.
Rolt said it was important to note that the attack was not aimed at the South African soldiers but at ”targets in their vicinity”.
He could not immediately provide more detail on the attack or the two soldiers wounded.
Their names and units were being withheld until their next-of-kin had been informed. – Sapa