[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

14 October 2007

The Department of Defence regrets to announce the names of the nine South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers who passed away (died) following the accident on Friday, 12 October 2007 at the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla in the Northern Cape.

The deceased who were participating in Exercise Seboka were all members of 10 Air Defence Artillery Regiment in Kimberley.

They are:
* Staff Sergeant John Bezuidenhoudt (30), is survived by his mother, Ms W Bezuidenhoudt from Upington
* Bombardier Khangeziwe, Lephunah Malaza (24), is survived by her mother, Mrs AN Malaza from Tembisa
* Gunner Emmah, Thembekile Mthimunye (20), is survived by her mother, Mrs NL Mthimunye from Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga
* Gunner Rhulani, Mihloti Mtileni (23), female, is survived by Mr Samuel Mtileni from Limpopo
* Gunner Sebenzile, Veronica Nhlabathi (20), is survived by her sister TT Nhlabathi from Ladysmith
* Gunner Thapelo, James Nkwana (21), is survived by his mother, Mrs Anna Nkwana from Atteridgeville
* Gunner Sammuel, Sphiwe Nyembe (22), is survived by his sister, Thabisile Nyembe from Mabopane
* Gunner Botse, Seipato (21), is survived by his mother from Mabopane
* Gunner Rudzani, Christopher Siphuma (21), is survived by his father, Mr Simon Siphuma from Chiawelo.

The status of the injured soldiers remains satisfactory. The five soldiers who were seriously injured in the accident are in a stable condition and are being treated at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. Two other soldiers are in a satisfactory condition and are being treated at three Military Hospital in Bloemfontein. Seven other soldiers, who were slightly injured during the accident, were treated at the sickbay at the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla.

The Department of Defence is to begin with the process of liaising with the families of the deceased to discuss funeral arrangements. Funeral arrangements of the deceased soldiers will be announced once they are confirmed by the families.

The Minister of Defence, Mosiuoa Lekota, on behalf of the Department of Defence and the Chief of the SANDF, General Godfrey Ngwenya, has extended their sincerest sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased. They also wished the injured soldiers a speedy recovery.

The Department of Defence has appointed a high-level board of enquiry to investigate the accident on Friday, 12 October 2007, which resulted in the death of nine soldiers and 14 injured.

Enquiries:
Brigadier-General Kwena Mangope
Tel: 012 355 6302
Cell: 072 538 6888

Issued by: Department of Defence
14 October 2007
Source: Department of Defence (http://www.dod.mil.za)