Tragedy struck on Friday when a Samil 50 truck carrying South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members crashed and rolled near Danielskuil, approximately 100 kilometers from Kimberley. The accident, attributed to the driver reportedly losing control in rainy conditions, claimed the lives of two soldiers and left 17 others injured.
The incident occurred on the R31 road as the military personnel were en route from the Lohatla Army Base to Kimberley. According to a statement by the Northern Cape provincial South African Police Service (SAPS), the fatalities included a male and a female soldier who died at the scene. Authorities have withheld their identities pending notification of their next of kin.
“Preliminary information indicates that the accident occurred on Friday afternoon. The truck was traveling with 19 SANDF members when the driver lost control in rainy weather, resulting in the truck rolling,” the SAPS stated. The injured soldiers were transported to local hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Eyewitness footage captured at the scene shows injured soldiers lying on the ground near the heavily damaged military truck. The Kalahari Memorandum Digital, a local online community newspaper, was among the first to report on the harrowing crash.
The SAPS has launched a culpable homicide investigation as part of efforts to determine the exact cause of the accident. While weather conditions are believed to have played a role, further details will emerge as the investigation continues.
The SANDF has yet to issue an official statement, citing ongoing verification processes. The tragic accident adds to a series of losses suffered by the defense force, following the deaths of 14 soldiers last month during combat operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The combined toll brings the number of SANDF soldiers who have died this year to 16.
South Africans have expressed condolences and concerns about the safety of military transport operations, especially under adverse weather conditions. As investigations progress, both the SANDF and SAPS are expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
