The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) denied reports on Tuesday that Major Mmathabo Zikalala, wife of the head of news at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Snuki Zikalala, was being investigated for refusing to do her duty.
Beeld newspaper reported that Zikalala, a medical doctor deployed as part of the SANDF contingent in Sudan, was going to be prosecuted after she refused to continue working after her flight back to Africa was delayed.
”The charges come after she allegedly refused to see patients, to wear her uniform or do anything normally required of a soldier during deployment,” the newspaper reported.
It said that she refused to work after it became clear that an aircraft that was to return her and other soldiers would only arrive at the end of the month.
Defence spokesperson Major Niko Allie denied the claims. ”She is not being investigated and she did not refuse any orders,” he said.
Zikalala is one of the SANDF doctors deployed as part of the African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan.
Allie said she has been in the Sudan since May and was supposed to return to South Africa on August 15.
”The period has, however, been extended and Major Zikalala will return to South Africa on August 30,” he added. — Sapa