THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced the death of five of its members in a car accident in Mpumalanga.
SANDF spokesman Brigadier General Andries Mokoena Mahapa said the five members were part of the nine South African Infantry Battalion deployed under Operation Corona, which is a border safe-guarding unit in Mpumalanga.
He said on Saturday, 17 September, the members were travelling from Zonstraal to Macadamia military base alongside Copersdale Road when their vehicle lost control after the front tyre burst and crashed into a tree.
“All five occupants of the vehicle were declared dead at the scene. The deceased next of kin have been officially informed and further investigation are being conducted,” he said.
Mahapa said the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, the chief of African Defence Force, members of the Military Command Council and SANDF as a whole is bereaved by the passing of these patriotic soldiers.
“We convey our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said.
