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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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Te Awamutu man Mike
Subritzky, a former recruiter for the cadet school, said he had raised
concerns with the Army about abuses after he discovered injuries suffered by
his nephew, John Subritzky, a cadet in 1982. "His back was
covered in scars. After a lot of [questioning] I learned that beatings were a
routine part of life at the cadet school." Mr Subritzky said he
told the commanding officer, Major Wayne Anker, and an investigation was
launched. Four cadets were disciplined. John Subritzky, now of
Katikati, said he had been warned of what was to come when he encountered
some cadets in a school rugby match a year before he joined up. "They said they'd
be waiting for me when I got there in the junior class of 1982. I was in for
a shock when I arrived. Beatings happened every day for the first three
months." Mr Subritzky said
beatings were common but more sinister punishments were also meted out. "I personally
witnessed a roommate in the upright push-up position burned with a steam
iron. Another method was to line up all the junior cadets in the corridor.
We'd be made to stand on one foot and then punched. Anyone who fell over
received a kicking." John Subritzky said one
day he retaliated. "A cadet corporal
came in to beat me. I smacked him with a padlock in my hand. He went away and
came back with four mates to deal to me." But his roommates
helped beat the attackers. |
