STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS: SECOND UPDATE ON THE FATAL ACCIDENT DURING EXERCISE SEBOKA

Date of Release: 14 October 2007
Embargo : None

The Department of Defence regrets to announce the names of the nine SA National Defence Force soldiers who passed away (died) following the accident on Friday 12 October 2007 at the SA 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 Kimberly.

They are:

• Staff Sergeant John Bezuidenhoudt (30), is survived by his mother, Mrs W. Bezuidenhoudt from Upington.
• Bombardier Khangeziwe, Lephunah Malaza (24), is survived by her mother, Mrs A.N. Malaza from Tembisa.
• Gunner Emmah, Thembekile Mthimunye (20), is survived by her mother, Mrs N.L. 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 T.T. 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 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 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, 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 the accident on Friday 12 October 2007, 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