Four members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) died on Friday night while performing their duties to prevent illegal mining.
According to the Presidency, the deceased are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a fire they made to keep warm.
They were fully equipped and armed, and they showed no signs of being hurt. The troops were part of Operation Vala Umgodi, which is directed at combating illegal mining.
Found dead in a container
Their co-workers discovered them dead in a container while they were working at a closed mine shaft in Orkney, in the North West.
In a statement issued by the Office of the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Tuesday, he said he was extremely saddened by the deaths.
“The families of the victims, as well as their commanders and fellow soldiers, have my deepest sympathies as commander-in-chief of the South African National Defence Force,” Ramaphosa said.
The defence force revealed that it is investigating the deaths.
“The SAPS [South African Police Service] was called in, and upon inspection of the scene, all four had died, with their rifles on them and their items still with them,” according to Siphiwe Dlamini, the SANDF spokesperson.
“The district surgeon was called to the scene, examined the bodies and confirmed no injuries.”
M23 rebels’ attack
This incident follows the murder of two soldiers who were killed in an attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in June.
Reports revealed that M23 rebels attacked the town of Sake in the DRC, killing two South African soldiers and injuring 20 others.
“Four members who were critically injured have been hospitalised, while the rest who suffered minor injuries are expected to be discharged soon,” said the Presidency.
Located some 20km from the capital city of North Kivu province, Goma, Sake has been largely deserted for months following previous attacks.
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