The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended some of its peacekeepers for sexual misconduct.
The Monusco mission says it had a policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
AFP news agency reports that the allegations are against some South African peacekeepers numbering up to eight.
In a statement released on Wednesday, it said: “Precautionary measures have already been initiated in line with the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of misconduct.”
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, which was initially established during a civil war that lasted from 1998-2003, has some 17,000 personnel deployed in the east of the country where various militias and rebel groups continue to fight.