Inquest launched into the death of four SANDF soldiers

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An inquest has been launched following the death of four South Africa National Defence (SANDF) soldiers, who were on duty in North West Province.

According to the department, the members were part of Operation Vala Umgodi – an operation that deals with illegal mining activities.

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the members were deployed on a 24 hour shift at Shaft 3, a dormant mining shaft situated in Orkney, near the disused Harry Oppenheimer stadium which has been a hot spot for illegal mining.

He further added that the deceased members were found inside a container structure which was used as a guard house for those on 24 hours duty on the morning of Saturday, when the next shift was taking over the following day upon opening the doors of the container.

“SAPS was called in and upon inspection of the scene all four had died, with their rifles on them and their personal items still with them. The district surgeon was called to the scene and examined the bodies and confirmed no injuries,” he remarked.

Soldiers could have died from carbon monoxide

Dlamini stated that a team from the Pretoria FSL Chemistry Unit, also attended the scene and preliminary findings are that the death of the members could have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, from a possible fire made by the members during the cold night inside the container structure.

He continued; “The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Klerksdorp State mortuary for further investigation and post-mortem.

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“The names of the deceased will be announced once the families have been informed and all processes and formalities have been completed followed with the announcement of the funeral arrangements.”

Minister of defence and military veterans Angie Motshekga, her deputies, Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo, together with acting secretary for defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede and the chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya have sent their condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire defence family.