By Iavan Pijoos.
Two SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members were killed and seventeen others injured when their military truck overturned on the R31 road in the Northern Cape.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the accident occurred on Friday afternoon between Koopmansfontein and Delportshoop.
“The SANDF truck was travelling in rainy weather conditions when the accident occurred,” he said.
Kock added that the truck was en route from the Lohatla Army base to Kimberley when it overturned. Nineteen soldiers were onboard.
“Two SANDF members, a male and female, died on the scene, and 17 others were injured and transported to hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
The identities of the deceased are not yet known as their next of kin must be informed.
Following delays in the repatriation of the 14 soldiers killed during combat in the DRC, the SANDF said on Friday that “movement is underway”.
SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the bodies would arrive on Saturday afternoon at the UN logistics base in Entebbe, Uganda.
“They will arrive in Entebbe, and the bodies will be prepared for transportation by air to South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania,” he said.
“The movement is conducted by the United Nations.”