Two soldiers dead after altercation at Mpumalanga military base
A violent altercation at the Macadamia Military Base in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, claimed the lives of two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers on Saturday morning, 21 June.
According to a SANDF media statement, one soldier allegedly fatally stabbed two of his colleagues during a tragic confrontation.
The motive behind the incident remains unclear at this stage.
The SANDF and South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a joint investigation into the matter. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or the alleged perpetrator, pending the completion of official inquiries and notification of next of kin.
'The circumstances surrounding the incident remain the subject of an ongoing inquiry. Further details will be communicated once officially verified,' the statement read.
Rear Admiral (Junior Grade) Prince Tshabalala, Director of Defence Corporate Communication, confirmed the incident. He said investigators are working urgently to piece together the events that led to the double fatality.
The Port Alfred Regional Court sentenced former SAPS commander Ncamisa Donkrag to five years in prison on Friday, 9 May 2025. The court suspended the sentence for five years.
It also ordered Donkrag to repay SAPS R12 767.80 after she pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.
In May 2022, she claimed she had travelled from Port Alfred to Port Edward, Mount Ayliff, and Mzamba using her private vehicle. SAPS reimbursed her R8 062.58. The trip never happened.
In September 2022, she submitted another false claim. This time, she said she had travelled to Zwelitsha and Addo. She received R4 705.25.
Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Osagran Naidoo said the sentence should serve as a warning. 'No matter your rank, no one is above the law,' he said.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Hawks officers to undergo stricter integrity testing under new amendments
The Hawks' officers face more stringent integrity testing, which include polygraph, alcohol and drugs tests, after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has tightened regulations. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has tightened regulations set out to ensure members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) are beyond reproach. On Friday, Mchunu released amendments to South African Police Service (SAPS) Regulations for the Hawks, which were first introduced in September 2010. In terms of the regulations, Hawks officers are to be subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests. In addition, every member, irrespective of rank, shall, not later than April 30 of every year, disclose to the minister his or her registrable business interests, those registrable interests of his or her immediate family members, of which he or she is aware. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The regulations also empower the national head of the Hawks to conduct or authorise any member or any other person to conduct an integrity testing programme to test the integrity of any relevant member of the directorate. Integrity testing programmes may involve an act or omission (by a person who is conducting the integrity testing) that offers a relevant member whose integrity is being tested the opportunity to engage in behaviour, whether lawful or unlawful, in contravention of the SAPS's code of conduct or contravention of any law; or constituting misconduct in terms of the disciplinary regulations. According to the regulations, integrity testing also involves testing a member for the abuse of alcohol or drugs, or using the polygraph or a similar instrument. Mchunu's amendments make provision for a report detailing the outcome of the polygraph or similar test to be submitted to the integrity section for further investigation. '(The) integrity section must, as soon as such investigation is finalised, submit the investigation report to the head of the directorate and the vetting officers for further handling,' state the amendments. Hawks members who, without good reason, fail to provide a specimen of breath as required commit misconduct, and if found guilty, may be subject to the sanction for disobeying a lawful order, command, or instruction in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations. Specimens of breath from a relevant Hawks member when reporting for duty, while on duty or while on call for duty, may not have any evidence of alcohol when such member is tested.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Two SANDF soldiers stabbed to death during altercation at Mpumalanga base
The soldier that stabbed his two colleagues tried to kill himself afterwards. File photo for illustration. Two SANDF soldiers died after they were stabbed at the Macadamia Military Base in Mpumalanga early on Saturday morning. Picture: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday morning by one of their colleagues. The incident occurred at the Macadamia Military Base near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga. SANDF soldiers stabbed SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said the soldiers were stabbed during an altercation involving SANDF members. 'Preliminary information indicates that a tragic altercation involving SANDF members resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. It is alleged that one of the members fatally stabbed two of his colleagues,' he said. It was then reported that the attacker unsuccessfully tried to take his own life. ALSO READ: SANDF troops return home from DRC after delay from logistical snag Investigation launched into soldiers' murders Tshabalala said the SANDF and the police are investigating the incident. 'The circumstances surrounding the incident remain the subject of ongoing inquiry, and further details will be communicated once officially verified. 'The SANDF expresses its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased members. This is a deeply painful moment for the organisation and the military community at large. 'We appeal to the public and media to allow the investigative processes to unfold without speculation, and to respect the dignity and privacy of the affected families during this difficult time.' NOW READ: SANDF budget constraints: SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa's presidential jet
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Carte Blanche: Death in the chicken house
The 22 June episode of Carte Blanche delves into a once-thriving chicken business now mired in controversy, uncovering disturbing reports of animal cruelty, including acts of cannibalism among birds and the presence of decomposing carcasses on-site. The exposé also highlights the plight of workers who allege they have not received their salaries for months, raising serious concerns about both ethical practices and financial mismanagement within the operation. The investigation seeks to uncover what led to the decline of this previously successful enterprise and who is ultimately accountable for the grim conditions exposed. Carte Blanche is a South African investigative journalism television series that airs on M-Net every Sunday at 19:00. Its first episode aired on 21 August 1988 and over the last 34-plus years has earned credibility among South African viewers for its investigation into corruption, consumer issues, and current events. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
