Ramaphosa mourns the six soldiers who perished in Lohatla Military Base inferno

Lerato Mbhiza

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his profound sadness at the deaths of six soldiers who died in a Northern Cape fire that torched the SA Army Combat Training Centre at the Lohatla Military base on Friday. 

Ramaphosa has offered his deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased SANDF members.

The President spokespersonVincent Magwenya, said: “The President wishes the injured SANDF members a speedy and comfortable recovery”.

SA Army’s Major General Rene Mecuur said the soldiers were in the area preparing for a forthcoming army exercise when the tragedy struck. And the troops who died were part of the SANDF members engaged in a military exercise named Vukuhlome. Three other soldiers sustained serious injuries in the runaway veld fire that gutted the military base.

The SANDF confirmed on Saturday that a wildfire that had originated in Khathu in the Gamagara Local Municipality had almost destroyed