STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
HEADQUARTERS: UPDATE ON THE FATAL ACCIDENT
DURING EXERCISE SEBOKA
Date of Release: 13 October 2007
Embargo : None
The Department of Defence regrets to announce
the names of six of the nine SA National Defence
Force soldiers who passed away (died) following
yesterday’s accident, (12 October 2007) at the
SA Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla in the
Northern Cape.
The names of the other persons will be
released once their next of kin has been
notified.
The deceased who were participating in
Exercise Seboka were all members of 10 Air
Defence Artillery Regiment in Kimberly.
They are:
- Staff Sergeant John Bezuidenhout (30),
who is survived by his mother, Mrs W.
Bezuidenhout from Upington.
- Bombardier Khangeziwe, Lephunah Malaza
(24), is survived by her mother, Mrs A.N.
Malaza from Tembisa.
- Gunner Rhulani, Mihloti Mtileni (23)
female, is survived by Samuel Mtileni from
Giyani.
- 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.
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
3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein. Seven other
soldiers, who were slightly injured during the
accident, were treated at the sickbay at the SA
Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla.
The Minister of Defence, Mr 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
yesterday’s (12 October 2007) accident which
resulted in the death of nine soldiers and 14
injured.
ENDS
Issued by : Department of Defence
Private Bag X161
Pretoria
0001
Telephone : (012) 355 6302 or 072 538 6888
Enquiries : Brigadier General Kwena
Mangope |
