Two Troops Tragically Die in Shaft Plunge
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the tragic deaths of two soldiers during an anti-illegal mining operation in Roodepoort, West Johannesburg, on Friday morning.
The members lost their lives after falling into an open, abandoned vertical shaft at the CRD Mine during a pursuit of suspected illegal miners.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 06:00 when deployed forces spotted suspects exiting the underground workings. The troops pursued the suspects into a tunnel before falling down the hidden shaft.
Emergency response teams and specialised mine rescue services immediately deployed to the scene to initiate recovery efforts. Rescue teams have since retrieved the bodies of both members from the deep shaft.
Authorities are currently processing the formal identification of the deceased soldiers. Officials will release the names of the fallen members once they have fully informed the next of kin.
Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga, and the military command have expressed profound sorrow over the operational loss.
“The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, the Secretary for Defence, Mr Bereng Mthimkulu and the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya extend their deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen soldiers,” the Defence department said in a statement.
Investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal fall are underway.
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