Mpumalanga – A deadly altercation at the Macadamia Military Base near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, has left two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers dead and another wounded. The SANDF confirmed that the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 21, 2025.
According to the SANDF, the incident began when one of the soldiers, after being withdrawn from active duty, turned violent and stabbed two of his colleagues. One soldier died from the injuries, while the other survived and has since been discharged from hospital.
As fellow soldiers tried to intervene and apprehend the attacker, he turned the weapon on himself, stabbing himself in the neck. He was rushed to hospital for emergency medical attention but later died from the self-inflicted wound.
Initially, the SANDF had incorrectly reported that the event involved a shooting and suicide. However, a revised statement clarified that the cause of death for both deceased soldiers was stabbing, and that the attacker had died in hospital, not on site.
The soldiers were believed to be deployed as part of Operation Corona, the SANDF’s ongoing border protection programme.
“This is a deeply painful moment for the organisation and the military community at large,” said SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, and we wish the injured soldier a full recovery.”
The SANDF, together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has launched an investigation to determine the motive and exact sequence of events. The motive remains unclear at this stage.
This latest tragedy has once again spotlighted concerns around mental health support and conflict resolution within the SANDF. Several violent incidents have occurred within its ranks in recent years, including a murder-suicide in the DRC in February 2024, and the suspicious grenade death of Major Tolla Pieterse in July 2024, also in the DRC.
Public reaction has been swift and critical. A Johannesburg resident, via News24’s comment section, stated, “The SANDF’s repeated violence reflects a broken system; where is the leadership?” On X, @MpuCitizen demanded, “How many more deaths before SANDF reforms its vetting and mental health protocols?” Others expressed sympathy for the victims’ families, with @JoziVoice noting, “These soldiers deserved better support.”
Public discourse, including petitions circulating on social media, urged Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to address systemic issues such as inadequate training and psychological oversight, calling for urgent reforms to prevent further tragedies.
Authorities have promised a full investigation and confirmed that further details will be shared once officially verified.
