Central SA
Relief welcomed for SANDF fire victims─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:28 Sat, 14 Oct 2023
The South African National Defence Force has been inundated with support following a veld fire that ripped through Lohatla combat training centre in Northern Cape.
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) has welcomed the wide-spread support for the victims of a veld fire that ripped through Lohatla combat training centre in Northern Cape.
The disaster response NGO Gift of the Givers immediately responded with aid to the 1 300 solders affected by the fire, while the Northern Cape government offered to assist with psycho-social support for the colleagues, families and friends of the six soldiers who died when veld fires tore through the training base on Sunday, 8 October.
Photo: Screenshot/Facebook
Angel Ramphele, MD of the SA Army Foundation, said the foundation had contributed R4 million in response to the incident, including personal items such as toiletries.
Pulane Mogatle, mayor of John Taolo Gaetsewe district municipality, also visited Major General Patrick Njabulo Dube to extend words of condolence as well as moral support after the devastating fires.
The SANDF head of communication, Simphiwe Dlamini, said they are working hard to support their troops, as well as the neighboring communities of the military base.
“SANDF will not hesitate to bring relief to affected communities. Even after this tragic loss of life, our constitutional responsibility to guarantee the safety of South Africans remains our priority.”
