Flooding claims life of SANDF member during Operation Corona Patrol

Two members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were swept away while on patrol under Operation Corona after a military vehicle attempted to cross a flooded river in the Macadamia, Mpumalanga.

The incident happened on Thursday as heavy rainfall and flooding affected parts of the province. According to the SANDF, the vehicle, which was transporting Military Police personnel, was overcome by a strong current while crossing the river.

One soldier’s body has since been recovered, while the second member is still missing. A coordinated search and rescue operation is underway, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Diving Rescue Team with aerial support from an SANDF Oryx helicopter. Authorities have indicated that every effort is being made to locate the missing soldier as soon as possible.

The SANDF has appealed to the media to give rescue teams the necessary space to continue their work and to allow time for the affected families to be properly informed and supported.

“As the operation remains ongoing, the media is respectfully requested to provide space to allow search and rescue efforts to continue and to enable the families to be duly informed and supported,” the SANDF said.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, together with her deputies, the Secretary for Defence and SANDF Chief Rudzani Maphwanya, have conveyed their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased soldier. They also expressed solidarity with the family of the missing member during what they described as a difficult period.

Operation Corona is the SANDF’s ongoing mission focused on safeguarding South Africa’s borders.