A South African peacekeeper has died in Sudan, apparently after being stung by a scorpion.
The 21-year-old woman infantry soldier was apparently stung by a scorpion at the Mahla Military base, in Darfur on Friday. She died after being admitted to hospital.
SA National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesman brigadier general Kwena Mangope says the details around the death of Lesedi Boitumelo Monaisa remain sketchy.
She was serving in the joint United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, with 10 SA Infantry Battalion, normally stationed at Mafikeng in the North West Province.
Rifleman Monaisa is survived by her mother, MD Motingwe.
"The minister of defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, and the chief of the SANDF, general Godfrey Ngwenya, extend their sincerest sympathies and condolences to her family," Mangope says. The memorial service and the funeral arrangements will be announced once confirmed by the family.
The SANDF has about 600 troops deployed in Darfur as part of its Operation Cordite. The contingent includes 29 officers, 15 staff officers and a 576-strong under-manned infantry battalion group.
The contingent is 325 soldiers short, says Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analyst Bossie Boshoff.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in addition notes that the force includes an engineer troop and an explosive ordnance disposal team. The force has about 18 armoured personnel carriers at its disposal.
Cabinet earlier this month authorised the deployment of 75 more police officers to Darfur in support of peacekeeping efforts there. The IISS in its Military Balance publication says SA already has 90 police officials deployed there.
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