Dear Editor
The DA wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the six SANDF soldiers who lost their lives, and the injured, during a devastating fire at the SA Army’s Combat Training Centre in Lohatlha in the Northern Cape on Friday.
The soldiers who died are Staff Sergeant Abraham Desember Morajane, Staff Sergeant Sipho Berrington Cele, Corporal Sithembiso Wiseman Ndwalane, Corporal Noxolo Faith Ngubane, Lance Corporal Prince Michael Mthethwa and Lance Corporal Londiwe Purity Zulu.
Three soldiers suffered second degree burn wounds, while others sustained minor injuries.
The DA thanks the SANDF members who did exceptional work to limit the further loss of life and damage to the facility and equipment. We call on Defence Minister Thandi Modise to launch an independent investigation to provide closure after the horrific incident and to ensure that the necessary preventive measures are in place.
We also pay tribute to the farming community that used their own equipment to help fight the blaze.
Regards
Kobus Marais MP
DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Greek Rifle
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at Pick \’n Pay, but couldn\’t find one big enough for Christmas dinner.
She asked a packer, \”Do these turkeys get any bigger?\”
He replied, \”No madam, they\’re dead.\”
Danimaldaze
Fun South African Fact: Some of the earliest evidence of human evolution has been unearthed at fossil sites northwest of Johannesburg in the Sterkfontein Caves! Archaeologists have discovered human remains here, some of which are more than 2 million years old! These discoveries have earned the area the title of “the Cradle of Humankind” which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.