Five SANDF soldiers lost their lives in a crash when their car’s front tyres burst and it veered off the road, hitting a tree, in Komatipoort in Mpumalanga on Saturday.

According to the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, the crash happened when a light delivery vehicle seemingly lost control, veered off the road and hit a tree.

“The crash will be subjected to a probe by law enforcement agencies working closely with the Road Traffic Management Corporation.”

The Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has reiterated his call to motorists to use the roads with due diligence in order to curb the unnecessary loss of life.

The SANDF’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Andries Mokoena-Mahapa, confirmed these deaths.

“We are saddened by the loss of five of our members who were also part of 9 South African Infantry Battalion [9 SAI BN] deployed under Operation Corona [border safeguarding] in Mpumalanga. The ministry and the whole defence force send their sincere condolences to the families.”