Mpumalanga – Tragedy has struck the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as two soldiers were swept away by a raging river while on patrol during Operation Corona in Mpumalanga. The incident occurred on Thursday near the Macadamia military base, amid heavy flooding caused by recent severe weather conditions.
The SANDF confirmed that the soldiers were members of the Military Police and were conducting routine border patrol duties when their vehicle attempted to cross a river that had become dangerously swollen. "While conducting routine patrol duties, a military vehicle carrying members of the SANDF Military Police attempted to cross a river that had been heavily flooded due to recent weather conditions. During this operation, two SANDF members were swept away by the strong current of the flooded river," the SANDF said in a statement.
Tragically, the body of one of the soldiers has been recovered. "Tragically, the body of one SANDF member has since been recovered. The second member remains missing," the statement continued. A search and rescue operation is currently underway, spearheaded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Diving Rescue Team, with aerial support provided by an SANDF Oryx helicopter. The focus remains on locating the missing soldier as swiftly as possible.
Operation Corona is the SANDF’s ongoing mission to safeguard South Africa's borders. The soldiers were patrolling near the military base in Komatipoort as part of this crucial operation.
The SANDF has appealed to the media to respect the sensitivity of the situation and allow the search and rescue teams to continue their work unhindered. "As the operation remains ongoing, the media is respectfully requested to provide space to allow search and rescue efforts to continue and to enable the families to be duly informed and supported," the SANDF said.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, along with her deputies Bantu Holomisa and Richard Hlophe, Secretary for Defence Thobekile Gamede, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have all expressed their deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased soldier. They also conveyed their concern and solidarity with the family of the missing member during this incredibly difficult time.
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