A vehicle crash in the Northern Cape claimed the lives of two members of the SANDF. Picture: Social media screengrab
A ROUTINE military transport operation turned tragic when a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) truck overturned on the R31 road between Koopmansfontein and Delportshoop, leaving two soldiers dead and 17 others injured.
The accident occurred on Friday afternoon, February 7, as the military truck, carrying 19 SANDF members, was en route from the Lohatla Army Base to Kimberley.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock, the truck overturned in rainy weather conditions. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find two soldiers - a male and a female - fatally injured. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The severity of their injuries has not been disclosed.
Authorities have launched a culpable homicide investigation to determine the cause of the crash. While weather conditions may have played a role, officials are looking into all possible factors surrounding the incident.
This latest accident adds to growing concerns over road safety in the region, particularly along the R31, which has seen multiple crashes in recent years.
In fact, the SANDF truck accident comes just days after another deadly collision on the regional road. On February 1, four people lost their lives in a head-on collision between two light motor vehicles on the R31 between Kimberley and Barkly West.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam confirmed that the victims were between the ages of 36 and 56.
“The police are investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic accident, including the possibility of a tyre burst on one of the vehicles,” said Sam.
Two survivors, including a 12-year-old boy, were rushed to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley with serious injuries.