The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Godfrey Ngwenya, regrettably announce the passing away of eight members of one medical battalion group of the South African Military Health Service who were involved in a vehicle accident near Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday 27 November 2009.
The members were travelling from Pretoria back to their home unit in Durban when the accident happened. Seven other members were injured in the accident; of these members, one member is in a stable condition in a Ladysmith hospital while six members were evacuated to Bethlehem.
The South African Police is investigating the accident. Funeral arrangements of the deceased will be announced once confirmed by their next of kin.
Minister Sisulu, the Acting Secretary for Defence, Mr Tsepe Motumi, the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Ngwenya, Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Service, Lieutenant-General Vejaynand Ramlakan and Chief Defence Reserves, Major General Roy Andersen, expressed their shock at the incident and have extended their sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. The Minister also wishes the injured members a speedy recovery.
Enquiries:
Marthie Visser
Tel: 012 355 6302
Cell: 082 459 1893
Issued by: Department of Defence and Military Veterans
27 November 2009
