South African observer sent back home

South Africa said on Tuesday that a member of South Africa's observer mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo was sent home because of his inappropriate behavior.

Mluleki George, leader of the mission and deputy defense minister, said the man, who belongs to the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), had breached the mission's regulation.

George was quoted by South African Press Association as saying that the member's "inappropriate behavior" included getting drunk when on duty and refusing to cooperate with the team he belonged to.

SANGOCO's spokesman Hassan Lorgat reluctantly released the name of the former political prisoner Patrick Baleka, saying the organization would also investigate the allegations of misconduct.

Lorgat said SANGOCO had required Baleka to be sent home after rumors of his behavior emerged.

South Africa sent a 128-strong mission to the DRC to observe elections scheduled for July 30.

Source: Xinhua