Dead men ‘ex-Rhodesians’

Press, 26 August 1982, Page 8

Dead men ‘ex-Rhodesians’

NZPA Johannesburg Three white soldiers who were shot and killed in eastern' Zimbabwe last week were former Rhodesian soldiers living in South Africa, the Johannesburg "Star" reported yesterday. The Zimbabwean Prime Minister (Mr Robert Mugabe) has said that he is convinced that the three men. who were shot in a clash with

Zimbabwean troops last week, were South African soldiers. The incident was evidence that South Africa planned to invade Zimbabwe, he said. The “Star” quoted sources as saying that the three men had been members of the Rhodesian defence forces in the war against black nationalist guerrillas. The - newspaper did not identify the three men by name, but said

that they had moved to South i Africa 'after the start of ; black-majority rule in Zimbabwe. , Spokesmen for the South African Foreign Ministry and ; the Defence Force said that i they had no knowledge of the : identities of the three men i and had not been informed officially of the matter by Zimbabwe. i The Defence Force Chief i (General Constand Viljoen)

i has promised a full investif gation and has said that no - South African operation was authorised in Zimbabwe. i A Zimbabwean Govern--1 ment spokesman declined to t comment on the “Star’s” rej port and added: “If the relai tives or representatives of i them care to get in touch / with us, their representations will be considered. Otherwise f the bodies will be buried by ) the Government.