By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Defence Force (SANDF) suffer another tragedy after four of its members died during an accident in the semi-arid Northern Cape on Thursday afternoon.
The four members were from the 8 Sai (8th South African Infantry) Battalion in Upington and they were on their way to an exercise of the army in the town of Lohatla.
SANDF spokesperson, Brigadier-General Andries Mahapa, said the tragic accident occurred about 90km from Upington while en route to SA Army CTC for Exercise Vukuhlome.
General Mahapa said one Samil vehicle was towing another when the vehicle being towed suffered a front right tyre burst causing both vehicles to roll.
He said four SANDF members were ejected, and died on the scene after the vehicle landed on top of them.
Two other members were also critically injured while nine members sustained minor injuries.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla, Acting Secretary for Defence, Dr Thobile Gamede, Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, the Chief of the South African Army, General Lawrence Mbatha extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues.
The accident comes a day after a marine off the Western Cape coast claimed the lives of three SA Navy crew members while others were evacuated.