Today, 9 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
09 Jul 1979: 76312248BG Rifleman Stephanus Petrus Janse van Vuuren from SWA SPES (SWATF) was Killed in Action when his horse detonated a landmine while on patrol along the pipeline North of Etale. He was 18.
09 Jul 1980: 80880198HX Rifleman H. Muhenje from 102 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with PLAN insurgents in Northern Owamboland. He was 26.
09 Jul 1985: 80622079BW Corporal Pieter Apollis from the South African Cape Corps attached to 53 Battalion was killed after suffering a fatal gunshot wound as a result of an accidental discharge of a fellow soldiers rifle. He was 24.
09 Jul 1988: 81966137SWH Corporal M. Kavetu from 102 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action when he triggered a Soviet POMZ-2 Anti-Personnel Picket Mine while on patrol. He was 27. Corporal Kavetu was the last 102 Battalion Bush War Operational Casualty.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
09-Jul-76 Tpr Athanetious Ginyilitshe S Scouts KIA by a gunshot wound in a contact, Mt Darwin, Op Hurricane. Died aged 20.
09-Jul-77 Cst Albert Kabunu Uniform BSAP Mrd Killed by terrorists, Lomagundi district, Op Hurricane, at the age of 41. He was on bicycle patrol at the time.
09-Jul-77 Asst Comdt Clive Pedley PV Prtn Group GF KOAS in an accidental shooting.
09-Jul-78 Rfn David Friedman No sub-units RIC KIA Died from wounds received in a contact, Op Thrasher.
09-Jul-78 Spr Charles Zikuyoma 1 Sqn RhE KIA Died from wounds received in a landmine explosion.