Today, 27 November, we salute and honour the following men & woman 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
27 Nov 1976: 73342180BB Sapper Petrus Johannes Du Toit from 2 Field Engineer Regiment was killed in a Military Vehicle Accident at Rundu. He was 19.
27 Nov 1976: 73263097BA Rifleman Donald Robert Pretorius from 1 SAI was killed in a military Bedford accident at Colesburg. He was 19.
27 Nov 1981: 78913845SP Lance Corporal Johan Martins from 32 Battalion was Killed in Action during a contact with enemy forces in Southern Angola. He was 19.
27 Nov 2000: 86471950PS Captain Petrus Jacobus Koster from 2 Squadron was killed when his Atlas Cheetah C, Serial Number 358 crashed at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt (Now AFB Makhado) after returning from a routine test flight. The aircraft re-entered the Aerodrome Traffic Circuit and as it started turning onto final approach to land, the aircraft was seen to suddenly flip over onto its back and dive into the ground. The pilot failed to eject. The Findings of the Board of Enquiry attributed the cause of the crash to G LOC (G-Force induced Loss of Consciousness). He was 30.
RHODESIAN BUSH WAR
1974 – Sergeant Peter NHAWU, 4 Squadron, Rhodesian Corps of Signals, died on active service. Died aged 45 in Salisbury Hospital, Salisbury, from severe internal haemorrhaging.
1977 – Field Reservist Keith Anthony HILDICK, Police Reserve, BSAP, died on active service. Died following his collapse whilst on operational duties in the Gokwe area, Op Grapple.
1977 – Field Reservist Savure Misheck MTETWA, Police Reserve, BSAP, killed on active service. Killed in a shooting accident, Genta Camp, Beitbridge, Op Tangent. His private funeral was held in the Tjolotjo district.
1977 – Lance Sergeant Obert MULASI Bronze Baton for Bravery (1976), L Troop, Support Unit, BSAP, killed on active service. Killed aged 24 in a shooting accident in Ops area. He was awarded the Bronze Baton for cool thinking and swift reaction which avoided an ambush and resulted in a contact against CTs. His military funeral took place in Salisbury on 2 December.
1978 – Constable Mosherd MAPASO, S Troop, Support Unit, BSAP, killed on active service. Died aged 22 in a vehicle accident in Sipolilo, Op Hurricane, in which Constable Alec Mavata also died. His semi-military funeral was held at Warren Hills Cemetery, Salisbury, on 08 December.
1978 – Constable Alec , Support Unit, BSAP, killed on active service. Died aged 22 in a vehicle accident in Sipolilo, Op Hurricane. His semi-military funeral took place at Warren Hills Cemetery, Salisbury, on 08 December.
1978 – Guard Fanuel URAYAYI, Protected Village Protection Group, Guard Force, died on active service.
1979 – Private Chitsovi BALENKANI, 8th Battalion, Rhodesia Regiment, died on active service.
† Their names and sacrifices have not been forgotten †
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