Murder probe into slain army officer

The grenade death of a South African Major in the DRC may have been murder. Major Tolla Pieterse (46) died a week ago when a grenade inexplicably exploded in his tent. City Press’ sister publication Rapport has learnt that the UN regional force in the DRC has classified the dossier on the incident as ‘Death – possibly murder’. In addition, the SA National Defence Force has appointed a team to get to the bottom of the matter. The UN regional force has also seized Pieterse’s cellphone for forensic analysis. Colleagues of Pieterse said he did not pull the pin of the grenade himself and that there was no reason for having one in his tent. It has been reliably learnt that he often incurred the wrath of his troops because he maintained strict discipline and did not hesitate to confront lazy soldiers.