Today, 8 July, we salute and honor the following men who sacrificed their lives whilst standing in the defence of what they held dear at the time and against evil and tyranny.
SOUTH AFRICAN BORDER WAR
08 Jul 1979: 76340942BC Lance Corporal Gerhardus Johannes Jordaan (SAAF) from 2 Satellite Radar Station, Ellisras died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained. He was 18.
08 Jul 1980: 72354061BG Corporal Pierre Babin from 1 Construction Regiment was accidentally killed while towing a broken down military vehicle when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to overturn between Omega and Chetto. He was 24.
08 Jul 1981: 80880347SWH Rifleman T. Tjakuva from 102 Battalion SWATF died from Malaria contracted while serving in the Operational Area. He was 27.
08 Jul 1982: 81954729SWH Rifleman Vegkurid Kavari from 102 Battalion SWATF was killed when the Buffel Troop carrier in which he was travelling, overturned at Opuwa. He was 24.
08 Jul 1982: Two members from 201 Battalion SWATF were Killed when the Buffel Troop carrier in which they were travelling, overturned. The casualties were:
- 80821200SP Rifleman T.A.S. Mesongo. He was 27
- Rifleman Joas Masonga. He was 29.
08 Jul 1988: 84501352BG Rifleman Leon Volschenk was critically wounded in the stomach on 30 June 1988 after being accidentally shot by an LMG during a live fire and movement exercise at Oshivello. He was evacuated to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria were he succumbed to his wounds on 08 July 1988. He was 20.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
08-Jul-70 Asst Comm Robert Holt Uniform BSAP DOAS Died at the age of 45, of a pulmonary embolism.
08-Jul-76 Cst Mapepa Mbiba Uniform/GC BSAP Mrd Died from gunshot wounds in the Chibi area Op Repulse. He was 34 years old. Whilst patrolling with another policeman, they stayed overnight at a kraal. A gang of CTs visited, and as Mapepa tried to escape, he was shot and killed.
08-Jul-76 DA Mashonga Sithole Regular Intaf KOAS Died in Rutenga Army Hospital after having been hit by a motor vehicle near Nuanetsi, Op Repulse. He was 26 years old.
08-Jul-77 DA Saveus Chitanga Regular Intaf DOAS
08-Jul-77 Ext Asst Aaron Gwanyanya ADF Intaf Mrd by CTs.
08-Jul-77 Cst Rindai Masunda Uniform BSAP KOAS in a shooting accident in the Intaf camp in Inyanga, Op Thrasher, at the age of 22.
08-Jul-78 Cpl B.J. "Basie" Riekert 5th Bn RR DOAS He came from Mangula.
08-Jul-79 L/Cpl Cladius Musa Army DOAS
08-Jul-79 Gd J. Takaindisa 2 Group, PV Prtn, Chipinga GF DOAS
08-Jul-79 Spr Peter Blackadder Wilson 4 Sqn RhE KIA Died from wounds received in a vehicle ambush.