'Serial rapist' at SANDF base

[Old Mutual]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] September 18 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, Our cover piece this week is a very necessary, if difficult story to tell. An internal report on sexual offences at a military academy says the defence force failed a deceased rape victim and has called for an internal investigation. The top brass of the [South African National Defence Force has been sitting on alarming reports]( of a possible serial rapist attacking women at one of its bases in the Western Cape reports Sabelo Skiti. The M&G has learnt that a series of druggings and rapes of personnel at the South African Military Academy in Saldanha has occurred -- and complaints have been met with inaction from officials all the way up to Defence Minister Nosviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's office. One of the complainants has since died, reportedly by suicide. Meanwhile, [the leaders of another six North West municipalities are to be recalled]( in coming weeks as the ANC moves to clean its house of corruption and misgovernance ahead of next year's local government elections. Paddy Harper reports that the mayor, speaker and chief whip of the Madibeng and Tswaing local municipalities are likely to be the first to face the axe in the wake of the removal of the ANC top three in the Mahikeng, Ditsobotla, Maquassi Hills and Matlosana local municipalities last Friday. By Thursday, several North West mayors had not resigned from office. Many ordinary South Africans, however, face more immediate concerns as their debt rises. Tshegofatso Mathe and Thando Maeko write that the end of June marked the end of payment holidays offered by many lenders, but many consumers' pockets remain empty as a result of the Covid-19. According to the DebtBusters debt index for the second quarter of 2020, unsecured debt increased 18% in comparison to 2016 levels. For those earning R10 000 or more, the unsecured debt levels rose between 30% and 40%. This means consumers are increasingly using [unsecured debt to supplement their dwindling incomes](. When times are tough it is the most vulnerable in our society that usually pay the price. And as is so often the disappointing reality, writes Birgit Schwarz, refugees will once more be the [scapegoat for South Africa's ills](. That's us for another week. As always we wish you a calm, relaxing weekend, free from emails and work calls. If you still can't resist, we're always on the other end at [editoronline@mg.co.za](mailto:EditorOnline@mg.co.za). Until Tuesday, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -