Tragic Road Accident Claims Lives of Four SANDF Members

In a tragic turn of events, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has reported the loss of four of its members due to a devastating road accident that occurred on Wednesday.

The accident involved two Samil 50 military vehicles and took place approximately 90km from Upington, while the group was en route to the SA Army Combat Training Centre for Exercise Vukuhlome, a routine military manoeuvre.

Brigadier General Andries Mahapa, spokesperson for SANDF, shared the details of the unfortunate incident, stating that one of the vehicles was towing the other when a sudden burst of the being-towed vehicle's right front tyre caused both automobiles just to lose control and rollover.

Regrettably, four SANDF members were ejected from the vehicles during the roll-over and died on the spot when the vehicle landed on them. Alongside these fatalities, two other members were critically injured, and nine more sustained less serious injuries.

The news has dealt a severe blow to the SANDF and military community, and tributes have begun pouring in. High-ranking officials, including Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla, Acting Secretary for Defence Dr Thobile Gamede, as well as Chief of the South African National Defence Force General Rudzani Maphwanya and the Chief of the South African Army General Lawrence Mbatha, have extended their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased members.