STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS: NON OPERATIONAL INCIDENT AT THE INFANTRY SCHOOL TRAINING AREA

Date of Release: 03 October 2007
Embargo : None

The Department of Defence regrets to announce that four soldiers were injured following an explosion of an AP 65 Grenade High Explosive blind (previously fired, not exploded) at The Infantry School’s training area in Oudtshoorn.

The incident occurred at approximately 20:40 on 01 October 2007 during a night navigation exercise. One of the four soldiers has been admitted to the Medi-Clinic in George and is in a serious condition. The others are being treated at the Military Sickbay in Oudtshoorn.

Night training and navigation exercises have been suspended and will only resume once all training ranges have been confirmed to be safe.

A Board of Inquiry into the incident has been convened.

ENDS

Issued by : Department of Defence
Private Bag X161
Pretoria
0001

Telephone : (012) 355 6302 or 072 538 6888

Enquiries : Brigadier General Kwena Mangope