The four South African soldiers who were found dead inside a container at the weekend may have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said on Tuesday.
The four South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members were found dead on Sunday inside a container structure they had used as a makeshift guardhouse at a mine in North West Province.
The SANDF said the South African Police Service has launched an inquest into the deaths although initial indications are that the soldiers may have died of poisoning.
“While police are investigating the matter, the deceased troops, who showed no injuries and were fully kitted and armed, are believed by the police and the SANDF to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a fire they made to keep warm,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The four were part of more than 3,300 SANDF members deployed by Ramaphosa in November 2023 to protect disused mines across the country from illegal miners.
Ramaphosa on Tuesday sent a condolences message to the families of four soldiers.
JN/APA