Latest news with #Percival
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- 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
03-07-2025
- 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.
Powys County Times
30-06-2025
- Powys County Times
Llandrindod man who denies drink driving to face trial
A LLANDRINDOD Wells man admits assaulting a police officer but denies drink driving and will face trial later this year. Harvey Percival, 22, admitted a charge of assaulting a police officer in the spa town on May 18 when he appeared at court on Tuesday, June 24. But he denied a separate charge of drink driving on the same date. It is alleged Percival, of no fixed abode, was a driving a red Vauxhall Corsa in Llandrindod, with 76 micrograms of alcohol in his system – the legal limit being 35 micrograms. Magistrates adjourned the matter for trial, which is scheduled to take place at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on August 5.
1News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
NZ U85kg team complete clean sweep over Sri Lanka
The NZ U85kg side have achieved a historic clean sweep of their two-match tour to Sri Lanka, beating the hosts 32-6 in Colombo. The match was played in front of an estimated 25,000 spectators at the Racecourse Stadium, the second big crowd in a week to watch the first New Zealand representative rugby side to visit the country in 70 years. After last weekend's 50-10 win for the NZ U85s in Kandy, the Sri Lankan Tuskers were expected to field a more experienced line up for the return match. Several players who took the field against Malaysia a fortnight ago were rested, something vice-captain Josh Gellert said they'd factored into their preparation. "We've identified the changes in their team," said the openside flanker. "A big thing for us is being connected throughout the group, making sure everyone's confident. "A big thing for us is proving to the guy next to you why you got picked, so I think that message will be to keep that defensive structure pretty firm." The game was tight through the opening 10 minutes, but the NZ U85s broke things open with some clever kicking. Outstanding fullback Francis Morrison collected a chip from wing Pieter Swarts, and flicked the ball on for captain and first five Jarred Percival to score. Swarts was in the action again not long after, linking with Ben Megson to send Percival over for his second. The Tuskers hit back with a penalty goal to Nigel Ratwatte, but Swarts got in on the scoring action himself, with a well taken try in the corner. Percival converted from wide out to make the score 17-3 at the break. The Tuskers had their best period of the game early in the second half, with Ratwatte slotting another penalty, but that was the last time they'd trouble the scoreboard. Gellert was too strong close to the line and powered over, followed by another perfectly weighted kick that set up Morrison to score the final try of the game. "We knew we were going to be up for a battle," said Percival after lifting the Sir Graham Henry Trophy, named after the World Cup-winning coach and team patron. "We scored some awesome tries, played brilliantly and opened them up in the second half. The fans were amazing, they cheered for us… it's an atmosphere we've never experienced back home." Once again, the U85s had to contend with 30-degree heat, despite the game kicking off at 6pm local time. Several players, including Percival, were forced from the field with heat exhaustion. "I think I was in the ice bath for about 15 minutes, before I could even go join the boys on the sideline again. I don't think it portrays on TV just how tough the conditions are - it was seriously hot." The team now return to the New Zealand club season, after their fortnight of being superstars in Sri Lanka. This week, they have been engaged in some official functions involving the NZ High Commission and travelling patron Sir Graham Henry, as well as visiting a local biscuit firm that's sponsoring the tour. Gellert, who usually spends his weekends playing for the Auckland University Slug Collectors club side in front of crowds of mostly partners and friends, said it was an incredible experience. "People are coming up to us on the streets, asking for photos and autographs," he said. "It's something that will probably never feel normal for this group of boys. "We were warned about how much Sri Lanka love rugby, but I don't think anything could have prepared for what it's truly like. As soon as we got off the plane, we were getting interviewed, but we love it. "We're the club battlers, so we're stoked at having the limelight."
Scoop
07-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
‘Will Take Time': Manawanui's Fate Still To Be Decided
Article – RNZ Samoa's Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure CEO also says there are ongoing discussions about compensation. , RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific Presenter/Bulletin Editor Samoa's Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure chief executive says the final fate of the sunken Manawanui is still to be decided. The New Zealand Navy vessel sank off the coast of Upolu in October last year, with a report into the grounding finding the crew were undertrained and the boat was not up to the task it was doing. Fui Tupa'i Simanu said in a statement that the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation is conducting an independent report on the wreck. 'Once that report is tabled, further decisions will be made,' he said, adding 'that includes the final decision on the wreck.' A report on the incident released last month found that the crew and commanding officer were undertrained, the boat was not up to the task it was doing, and the person in charge of the ship was distracted. A local surf guide, Manu Percival, who operates near the shipwreck, told RNZ Pacific that he was shocked and disappointed at the findings. Percival said it was simply not good enough. 'That is absolutely shocking that they had inadequately trained crew members and they went on a boat. I cannot believe how stupid that is,' he said. 'New Zealand has had so many disasters throughout history, and learned from it, and then to come over here [Samoa] and not practice what they practice in New Zealand is just stupid. 'What were they doing? Showing off? Looks like they just show off.' Percival suggested the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) give him a call about compensation for the impact on Samoans. However, Fui said there are ongoing discussions on compensation. The NZDF said earlier this week that it has completed work to retrieve important equipment, weapons, ammunition and some debris from in and around the shipwreck. In a statement on Monday, Commodore Andrew Brown said it is an important milestone which follows the successful removal of diesel fuel, oil and other pollutants from the ship. He said all the equipment, weapons and the ammunition have now been returned to New Zealand and much of the scrap metal debris has gone to be repurposed locally. The rest of the debris, along with tanktainers of unusable diesel fuel, pollutants, and oil mix, will return to New Zealand on the salvors' barge for safe disposal. 'Every effort has been taken to leave the Manawanui as safe and secure as possible, until a decision is reached on next steps for the ship and the work required for that,' Brown said. 'With our focus on the next steps for Manawanui, reef and environmental studies are progressing to inform and sit alongside the independent wreck assessment. 'These will take time, but will provide essential expert advice, to inform government decisions.' A core group of NZDF personnel remains in Samoa for support, and the Samoan government's prohibited area of two kilometres around the Manawanui remains. Dive site idea is 'bullshit' Meanwhile, Percival is completely against turning the Manawanui wreck into a dive site. There were three options Samoa's Cabinet was set to consider, including potentially leaving the wreck on the reef. Percival wanted that option ruled out. 'It is a wild ocean,' he said. 'Diving does not work, but nah, it is just like it should not be there. Should get rid of it. 'Keeping it there as a shipwreck? That is bullshit.' He added that not only would dive operations not be a viable business due to cost, New Zealand had a responsibility to fully remove the ship. RNZ Pacific has spoken with two other locals who shared similar views, but said they were too scared to go on record out of fear of repercussions.
