SANDF RELEASES OF NAMES OF SOLDIERS DIED IN DRC.
The names of the six soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo were released by the SA National Defence Force on Thursday.
The men were killed when the armoured vehicle they were travelling in plunged into Lake Kifu near Goma on Tuesday.
They were Sergeant Mashape Maake, 39, Corporal Sello Pilusa, 36, Rifleman Joseph Bauque, 29, Rifleman David Raphasha, 30, Rifleman Mametja Marakalala, 32, and Rifleman Tirhani Rikhotso, 34.
Bauque was based at General Support Base Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The other soldiers were from 7 SA Infantry Battalion in Phalaborwa, Polokwane.
SANDF spokesman Colonel Kwena Mangope said the bodies would be returned to South Africa shortly. The soldiers were all serving on a peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Mangope said it appeared the driver had lost control of the vehicle. "We are not sure what caused him to lose control," he said.
Those who died were apparently trapped under water. Five soldiers who managed to escape from the vehicle were treated for minor wounds and shock.
The SANDF is to appoint a board of inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the accident.
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08 Avril 2004 à 16:14 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
