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11 military officials die in bus crash

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa

The South African National Defence Force says 11 of its personnel died in a bus crash on Friday.

“A total of nine (09) members were declared dead at the scene of the accident. One member passed away en route to the hospital and another one passed away upon arrival at the hospital‚” the SANDF said.

“There are thirty-one (31) members who have suffered various injuries with three (03) in a critical condition.”

All members are from the Department of Defence’s Mobilisation Centre in De Brug‚ Bloemfontein.

The military said the accident happened near Clarens in the Free State.

A total of 42 SANDF members were being transported in the bus at the time of the accident.

“The cause of the bus accident is at this moment not known and will form part of the investigations. Names of the deceased will be communicated once their next-of-kin have been informed‚” the SANDF said.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans‚ Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula‚ as well as the Secretary for Defence‚ Dr Sam Gulube‚ the Chief of the SANDF General Solly Shoke and the Chief of the South African Army‚ Lieutenant General Lindile Yam‚ sent their “heartfelt condolences to the families‚ loved ones and friends of those that lost their lives and wish the injured members a speedy and full recovery from their injuries”.

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