Two members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have died in a parachute incident, the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday at 10.30am, the ministry said in a statement.

Both members were part of the January 2009 Military Skills Development Systems intake.

"When the incident happened they were undergoing scheduled static-line parachute training as part of their final phase of qualifying them as paratroopers," the ministry said.

An investigation by the police and an SANDF board of inquiry had been convened.

Rifleman John Mpshe (23) from Brits in the North West, and Rifleman Thabang Mokoena (22) from Wepener in the Free State, where members of 44 Parachute Regiment based at Tempe, in Bloemfontein.

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the Acting Secretary for Defence Tsepe Motumi, the Chief of the South African National Defence Force General Godfrey Ngwenya and Chief of the South African Army, Lieutenant General Solly Shoke have extended condolences to their families.

Sapa

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook