The South African Police Service (SAPS) has initiated an inquest into the deaths of four soldiers who were serving in Orkney, North West, on Saturday, July 6. This was reported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).Read More
“They were deployed to the area to combat illegal mining, and inside a container they were operating from, a fire pit was discovered.”
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The soldiers were taking part in Operation Vala Umgodi, an operation aimed at stopping illegal mining activities, according to a statement issued by the SANDF on Sunday.
The soldiers were placed in a 24-hour shift at Shaft 3, a former mining site close to the abandoned Harry Oppenheimer stadium, which is a recognized hub for illicit mining activities.
Discovery at the guard house.
On July 6, 2024, the remains were found early in the morning inside a container building that served as a guard house.
As the following shift arrived to take over, the awful finding was discovered.
“On the morning of July 6, 2024, when the next shift was taking over the following day, upon opening the doors of the container, the deceased members were found inside a container structure that served as a guard house for those on 24-hour duty,” the SANDF claimed.
All four soldiers had perished, it was confirmed during a SAPS check, however, their rifles and personal effects remained with them.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
The soldiers appeared to be uninjured, according to a district surgeon who was dispatched to the scene.
The deaths may have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, possibly from a fire started for comfort on a chilly night, according to preliminary results from the Pretoria FSL Chemistry Unit.
The Pretoria FSL Chemistry Unit team also responded to the scene, and preliminary investigations indicate that the members’ deaths may have been due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a fire they may have started within the container construction on a chilly night, according to the SANDF.
For additional research and post-mortem exams, the bodies have been moved to the Klerksdorp State Mortuary.
After notifying the families and completing any required paperwork, the names of the deceased will be made public, and then the funeral plans will be revealed.
Deputy Ministers Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo, Acting Secretary for Defence Dr. Thobekile Gamede, Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya, and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga all issued a joint statement expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased and the defense community as a whole.
The urgent problem of illicit mining, which endangers the environment and the security of nearby people, is still being addressed by Operation Vala Umgodi.
The perils faced by those entrusted with upholding security and order in such unstable circumstances are highlighted by the deaths of these troops.
