Latest news with #SelousScouts
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
War crimes allegations ‘nonsense': mayoral candidate
Guy Percival. PHOTO: ODT FILES Waitaki's newest mayoral candidate has labelled claims he was involved in war crimes as "nonsense". Guy Percival, of Five Forks, announced his mayoral candidacy just days ago, including a biography that referred to serving with the Selous Scouts, a counter-insurgency unit, in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The special forces unit has previously been accused of killing civilians, various war crimes and being involved in the Rhodesian chemical weapons programme. But Mr Percival, who says he is the only New Zealander to have served in the unit, took to social media to defend himself against people criticising him for being part of the unit. "Those who have never served, and never likely too, should be very careful in having an unqualified opinion on those that have," Mr Percival posted. "Selous Scouts was a multi-racial regiment of the country's Defence Force; 75% were African, the balance European and mixed race. "All were volunteers. The pride of serving with such an amazing group of incredible soldiers cannot be diminished by the ignorant comments from those who have limited knowledge or understanding. This will be my first and last comment on this site." A further post on the same site yesterday attracted more comments. "I think it's very sad that people make comment without knowing," Mr Percival told the ODT yesterday. "So, I just get very sensitive, and I think any soldier does, about his regiment, which has been ingloriously described. "Everyone liked to blame the Scouts for everything — and someone quoted The New York Times saying something about chemical warfare. We never had any of that nonsense," he said. "We were doing a job and, as I say, 75% of our unit was African soldiers who were actually incredible men and I'm very, very proud of my service as being the only Kiwi that ever served in that unit." Some people had said he should have left out his service from his mayoral bio, but he did not want to do that. "It's all over rover now ... but it is a very important part of my life." A 1994 Amnesty International report accused the unit of war crimes. However, there have been no official prosecutions of unit members for actions during the Rhodesian Bush War. The opposing Zimbabwean African Liberation Army, led at one point by future leader Robert Mugabe, has also been accused of actions amounting to war crimes under today's international law norms, including forced conscription of child soldiers. Like the Selous Scouts, there have been no formal prosecutions of Zala members. In 1980, then-president Mugabe granted amnesties to both sides of the conflict.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
War crimes allegation against African unit ‘nonsense'
Guy Percival. PHOTO: ODT FILES Waitaki's newest mayoral candidate has labelled claims he was involved in war crimes as "nonsense". Guy Percival, of Five Forks, announced his mayoral candidacy just days ago, including a biography that referred to serving with the Selous Scouts, a counter-insurgency unit, in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The special forces unit has previously been accused of killing civilians, various war crimes and being involved in the Rhodesian chemical weapons programme. But Mr Percival, who says he is the only New Zealander to have served in the unit, took to social media to defend himself against people criticising him for being part of the unit. "Those who have never served, and never likely too, should be very careful in having an unqualified opinion on those that have," Mr Percival posted. "Selous Scouts was a multi-racial regiment of the country's Defence Force; 75% were African, the balance European and mixed race. All were volunteers. The pride of serving with such an amazing group of incredible soldiers cannot be diminished by the ignorant comments from those who have limited knowledge or understanding. This will be my first and last comment on this site." A further post on the same site yesterday attracted more comments. "I think it's very sad that people make comment without knowing," Mr Percival told the ODT yesterday. "So, I just get very sensitive, and I think any soldier does, about his regiment, which has been ingloriously described. "Everyone liked to blame the Scouts for everything — and someone quoted The New York Times saying something about chemical warfare. We never had any of that nonsense," he said. "We were doing a job and, as I say, 75% of our unit was African soldiers who were actually incredible men and I'm very, very proud of my service as being the only Kiwi that ever served in that unit." Some people had said he should have left out his service from his mayoral bio, but he did not want to do that. "It's all over rover now ... but it is a very important part of my life." A 1994 Amnesty International report accused the unit of war crimes. However, there have been no official prosecutions of unit members for actions during the Rhodesian Bush War. The opposing Zimbabwean African Liberation Army, led at one point by future leader Robert Mugabe, has also been accused of actions amounting to war crimes under today's international law norms, including forced conscription of child soldiers. Like the Selous Scouts, there have been no formal prosecutions of Zala members. In 1980, then-president Mugabe granted amnesties to both sides of the conflict.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Finances front of mind for mayoral hopefuls in South
New candidates plan to contest the mayoralties in Gore and Waitaki when nominations open tomorrow. In Gore, the incumbent Mayor Ben Bell has already put his hand up to do the job again, but faces a new challenger. In Waitaki it is an open field, with present Mayor Gary Kircher stepping down after four terms and three candidates indicating their interest. Nominations close on August 1 and voting documents are delivered from September 9. Election day is October 11. Andrew Ashton and Gerrit Doppenberg report. Waitaki Former professional hunter and paratrooper Guy Percival is taking a shot at becoming the next Waitaki mayor. The Five Forks resident has served four terms on the Waitaki District Council representing the rural Corriedale ward and feels the time is right to go for the mayoral role, he said. "I've had a diverse career — musterer, meat hunter-farmer, professional hunter [in Africa], Selous Scouts [Special Forces] paratrooper in Rhodesia [Zimbabwe], coffee-grower and exporter in Papua New Guinea, corporate auditor, registered-drainlayer, father and more. "Somewhere along the way I lost my ego, so that doesn't need nurturing. What really matters is our district's future. I'm passionate about looking after our communities and fighting for what's best for the Waitaki. "The last few mayors have been effective in their own way. However, if you want different, hang-on-to-your-hats, the idea that the mayor is a lone community and council leader is past its use-by date. "My MO is communication, co-operation, consensus and clear direction. I am keen to stick to our knitting — no fancy stuff outside of our mandate and means. My main drivers are to keep money in people's pockets and preserve property rights for both urban and rural ratepayers. "[The] council has many staff that are second to none, especially those on the front line. With the support of elected members, we can work together to balance the funding of our amenities so that the future impact of ongoing projects on rates is affordable and acceptable levels of service are maintained. "I know how the council works, what we can do, what we can't do and how to make every dollar count. "Council is not here to hand out ratepayers' money willy-nilly." He joins former Waitaki district councillor Mel Tavendale and Oamaru heritage stalwart David Wilson in the mayoral race. Gore A new candidate for the mayoral position in Gore says nothing is off the table when it comes to saving ratepayer money. Nicky Davis has worked in the council space for 21 years, as both the head of operations and as an elected councillor. Despite stepping away during the last election cycle, Mrs Davis said it was the community who called her back to public office. "The amount of people I've had approach me, I get the sense they want change. There's a feeling council has lost direction," Mrs Davis promises a new direction for the district council with increased financial scrutiny, "I want ratepayers to be top of my mind in every decision made, so I'm going to take a very fresh look at every council expenditure. "Nothing's off the table. If we've got to cut, we've got to cut. There will be changes," Mrs Davis said she could not name any specific areas she planned to trim and save in, but her time in council was defined by financial scrutiny. "I was always questioning where we were spending our money, making the other councillors aware if I didn't agree with something. "This is what I want to bring back to council. They need to consider ratepayers in everything they do," No policy changes or specifics were mentioned, as Mrs Davis will be saving those moves if she is successful in attaining the big seat. The new challenger says a good shakeup would be the key to getting Gore back to the green in terms of finances. "Everything needs a review. There's certain things we're paying for that I believe we probably don't need to be. "I need a mandate. So if the people of Gore want a change, they need to vote for me."
