News24 | Army names 6 soldiers killed in the Northern Cape training camp blaze

A veld fire spread through the South African National Defence Force's Lohatla training centre in the Northern Cape on Friday.

• The SA National Defence Union has called for an inquiry into the deaths of six soldiers who were killed in a training camp fire in the Northern Cape on Friday.
• Several soldiers were injured and about 1 300 lost their belongings in the blaze that was fanned by strong gale force winds. 
• Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers announced it will send aid to the training camp. 

The SA Army has released the names of six soldiers who lost their lives in a fire that swept through the SA Army's Combat Training Centre in Lohatla in the Northern Cape on Friday. 

Three soldiers sustained second degree burns, while others sustained minor injuries. 

Strong winds spread the fire that destroyed the camp, vehicles, shelter and personal belongings of 1 300 military personnel. 

Lohatla is situated in Postmasburg, Kuruman. 

The soldiers who died are Staff Sergeant Abraham Desember Morajane, Staff Sergeant Sipho Berrington Cele, Corporal Sithembiso Wiseman Ndwalane, Corporal Noxolo Faith Ngubane, Lance Corporal Prince Michael Mthethwa and Lance Corporal Londiwe Purity Zulu. 

The army said the soldiers, whom it described as warriors, would be fondly remembered for their fearlessness, sacrifice, and defiant spirit throughout their military careers, and would be sorely missed in the South African military fraternity. 

READ | Six soldiers killed, three injured in Lohatla military camp blaze

Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise, Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thabang Makwetla, Acting Secretary for Defence Dr Thobile Gamede, SA National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya and SA Army chief Lieutenant-General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha conveyed their condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased. 

Meanwhile, the SA National Defence Union (SANDU) called on the SANDF to launch an inquiry to establish the cause of the incident. 

"SANDU's view is that it is a tragedy the exact cause and circumstances of which has to be determined through a board of inquiry in terms of the Defence Act.

"Soldiering is a dangerous occupation - it has inherent risks. Unfortunately, battle hardiness is acquired through real scenario experience. SANDU mourns the passing of every soldier," said SANDU national secretary advocate Pikkie Greef.

Experts have blamed military budget cuts for the tragedies that have befallen the army in recent weeks. 

The blaze comes weeks after crew members of the SA Navy submarine SAS Manthatisi were swept out to sea and three lives were lost.

The submarine had been en route to Cape Town when it was hit by rough waves off Kommetjie.

Shortly after, four soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident on the outskirts of Upington in the Northern Cape.

Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers announced its teams were preparing an aid package in response to requests from the SANDF to assist soldiers who lost everything in the devastating fire. 

According to founder Imtiaz Sooliman, the intervention came after the SANDF made an urgent request for clothing, underwear, hygiene packs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, face cloths, hand towels, sanitary pads, energy drinks and blankets. 

READ | Four SANDF members killed in service vehicle incident

"Gift of the Givers teams are loading our truck in Johannesburg with the items requested while team members are sourcing additional supplies from wholesalers this morning before embarking on the seven-hour journey," said Sooliman. 

He added teams were currently involved in flood relief operations in the Western Cape, and "we are preparing for cataract catch-up surgery this week".

"World Sight Day takes place on 12 October. Gift of the Givers teams will be at McCord's Hospital in Durban where we have funded catch-up cataract surgery for 150 patients," Sooliman said.