By Staff Reporter
KOMATIPOORT — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the death of one soldier and the disappearance of another following a tragic incident during Operation Corona in the Macadamia area near Komatipoort.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a SANDF Military Police vehicle, conducting a routine patrol, attempted to cross a river that had become dangerously swollen due to flooding. The strong current swept two soldiers from the vehicle.
In a media statement, the SANDF confirmed that the body of one soldier has since been recovered. An intensive search and rescue operation is still underway for the missing member.
The operation is being led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Diving Rescue Team, with aerial support from an SANDF Oryx helicopter.
Senior defence officials, including Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya, have conveyed their condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and expressed solidarity with the family of the missing member during this difficult time.
The SANDF has appealed to the media and the public to allow space for ongoing search and rescue efforts, and for the affected families to be properly informed and supported as operations continue.
