The South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) is currently investigating the tragic deaths of four soldiers who were deployed in Orkney, North West. These soldiers were part of a 24-hour shift when they met their untimely passing on Saturday.
The incident took place at Shaft 3, a dormant mining shaft situated near the disused Harry Oppenheimer Stadium, a known hotspot for illegal mining activities.
SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini, explained that the soldiers were found inside a container structure used as a guard house for those on 24-hour duty. The discovery was made by the next shift upon opening the doors of the container the following day.
[ KZN Man Bags Life Sentence For Raping Mentally Disabled Mother ]
The soldiers were deployed as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, an initiative aimed at curbing illegal mining operations in the area.
Dlamini further stated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) was called to inspect the scene. The soldiers were found with their rifles and personal belongings intact. The district surgeon, who examined the bodies, confirmed that there were no visible injuries.
A team from the Pretoria FSL Chemistry Unit also attended the scene, and preliminary findings suggest that carbon monoxide poisoning, possibly from a fire made by the soldiers to keep warm during the cold night, could be the cause of death.
The bodies of the deceased soldiers have been transported to the Klerksdorp State Mortuary for further investigation and post-mortem examinations.
The SANDF is committed to uncovering the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic event and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Catch up with the latest news from The Times Post on WhatsApp by following our channel. Click here to join.
Kindly follow @thetimespost on Instagram. On X (Twitter), follow @thetimespost2.
