FATAL PARACHUTE ACCIDENT

The Acting Chief of the South African National Defence Force, Lieutenant General Temba Matanzima regrets to announce the passing on of a member of the SA Army Air Defence Artillery who was involved in a tragic parachute accident during Exercise Young Eagle.

The incident happened on Monday, 21 February 2011, at 12:50, and the name of the deceased will be announced once the next of kin have been notified.

A Board of Inquiry has been convened to investigate the incident. The South African Police Force is also investigating the accident.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, the Secretary for Defence, Ms Mpumi Mpofu and the Acting Chief of the South African National Defence Force have extended their sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased.