The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Cyril Xaba, has learnt with deep sadness the passing of six soldiers at the Lohatla Training Centre in Postmasburg in the Northern Cape on Friday through a fire that swept through the training centre.

According to media reports the fire that gutted the South African National Defence Force base rolled over from the western border of a mine located next to the South African Army Combat Training Centre (CTC). The fire left six soldiers dead, three injured and destroyed camping equipment and army vehicles, worst of all this happens at a time when the SANDF is battling with budget cuts that have compromised the serviceability of strategic defence equipments.

Mr Xaba said the committee extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased soldiers. The committee also extends condolences to the entire SADF which has been struck by tragic deaths of its members in a short space of time. “We are with the familie
s of the deceased soldiers in this very difficult time. May their souls rest in eternal peace,’ said Mr Xaba.

He said the committee is calling upon the firefighters who are busy extinguishing the fire that is still going on destroying the area to continue fighting it until it is stopped. ‘We are also appealing to the people in the area to assist in the efforts of fighting the fire,’ he added.

Source: Parliament of South Africa