By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) on Sunday released the names of the six members who perished in a wildfire that swept through the Combat Training Centre (CTC) in the Northern Cape.
The soldiers who died are Staff Sergeant Abraham Desember Morajane, Staff Sergeant Sipho Berrington Cele, Corporal Sithembiso Wiseman Ndwalane, Corporal Noxolo Faith Ngubane, Lance Corporal Prince Michael Mthethwa and Lance Corporal Londiwe Purity Zulu.
The army said the soldiers, whom it described as warriors, would be fondly remembered for their fearlessness, sacrifice, and defiant spirit throughout their military careers, and would be sorely missed in the South African military fraternity.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise, Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thabang Makwetla, Acting Secretary for Defence Dr Thobile Gamede, SA National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya and SA Army chief Lieutenant-General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha conveyed their condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased.
The South African National Defence Union (Sandu) said, a board of inquiry will be convened by the SANDF to investigate the incident.
“It will determine among other things, the circumstances leading to the loss of personnel & equipment as well as the value of the equipment losses (which by social media footage seem substantial)”
As the Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s armed forces, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his profound sadness at the the deaths of soldiers who died in a Northern Cape fire.
The troops, according to the Presidency, were part of a military exercise named Vukuhlome.
Ramaphosa has since offered his deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased SANDF members.
“The President wishes the injured SANDF members a speedy and comfortable recovery and his thoughts are with survivors who witnessed this tragedy,” said the Presidency.