Today, 30 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
30 July 1979: 70448782BG Sapper Colin Stephen Rees from the School of Engineers died from a gunshot wound accidentally sustained while he was stationed at Kroonstad. He was 24.
30 July 1982: 78332558BG Rifleman Daryl Peter Croeser of 61 Mechanised Battalion was Killed in Action in Southern Angola during Ops Meebos when Ratel 72 detonated a double boosted Yugoslavian TMA-3 Cheese mine. He was 19.
30 July 1986: 84917731SWK Lance Corporal R.H. Makaranga from 202 Battalion SWATF was Killed in Action during a contact with SWAPO/PLAN insurgents. He was 25.
30 July 1987: 81187023BG Rifleman Johannes Petrus Wessels Groenewald from 8 SAI was critically Injured and paralysed in a landmine explosion near Katima Mulilo on 14 July 1983. He was placed into a care facility after discharge from 1 Military Hospital but three years later, complications arose as a result of these injuries and gangrene set in. He was re-admitted to 1 Military Hospital where he died on 30 July 1987. He was 24.
30 July 1994: 87775755PE Corporal Bradley Paul August from 515 SAAF Security Squadron at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt was accidentally killed when his Rhino Armoured Personnel Carrier overturned in Venda. He was 25.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
30-Jul-77 Smn Paul Moore Sigs Sqn RhSigs KOAS in a vehicle accident.
30-Jul-78 Pte Denny Madziviridzo 2nd Bn RAR DOAS
30-Jul-78 Tpr Philemon Mudzingwa Tp S Scouts KOAS in a vehicle accident, aged 21 years.
30-Jul-78 LAC Leon Steyn RhAF DOAS
30-Jul-79 DSA Rwatirinda Masikati Kp Prtn Intaf DOAS