Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has, as Commander-in-Chief of the nations armed forces, expressed his sadness at the death of six soldiers in a wildfire in the Northern Cape.
The deceased troops were part of a military exercise named Vukuhlome.
Tragedy struck on Saturday when the fire swept through the SA Army Combat Training Centre at the Lohatla Military Base on Saturday.
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The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said a wildfire that originated in Khathu in the Gamagara local municipality quickly spread to the military base, where six soldiers died in the blaze.
Three other soldiers were injured and the army lost equipment including vehicles.
“President Ramaphosa offers his deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased SANDF members,” said Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President.
“The President wishes the injured SANDF members a speedy and comfortable recovery and his thoughts are with survivors who witnessed this tragedy.”
AUDIO REPORT: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, speaks on the soldiers who perished in Lohatla fire.
