ATC240209: Report of the Oversight visit to the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla, Northern Cape, by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on 28 October 2023, Dated 07 February 2024.

Defence and Military Veterans

Report of the Oversight visit to the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla, Northern Cape, by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on 28 October 2023, Dated 07 February 2024.

1. Introduction

The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) conducted an oversight visit to the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla on the 28 October 2023, as part of its oversight programme. This formed part of the Committee’s Parliamentary Oversight programme over the Department of Defence.

Purpose of the oversight visit

The primary aim of the oversight visit was for the PCDMV to conduct a site visit to the above-mentioned facility to acquaint itself with the conditions that led to the fire that occurred and resulted in the death of six Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It was further aimed at showing care, compassion and support to the Defence Force and the families of the deceased soldiers. Moreover, the Committee intended to receive an update on actions taken to ensure that a similar occurrence is prevented and measures put in place to mitigate the effects and prevent any loss of life and equipment should such fires occur again.

1.2 Committee Members and support staff

The delegation comprised of the following people:

Members of the Committee:

ANC

Mr. V.C. Xaba (Chairperson)

Mr. TN Mmutle

Ms A Mthembu

Mr SJF Marais

EFF

Mr T Mafanya

Support Staff:

Bryan Mantyi - Committee Secretary

Oliver Ndou - Committee Assistant

DOD representatives

Lt Gen FM Ramantswana - Chief of Staff

Lt Gen LK Mbatha - Chief SA Army

Maj Gen Kobbie - Director Force Structure

Maj General H. D. Mashego - GOC: SA Army Infantry Formation

Maj Gen Dube - Division Commander

Maj Gen Nyangasya - GOC: Defence Works Formation

Maj Gen Mulaudzi - GOC: Army Support Formation

Brig Gen J.K. Thys - Div COS: Ex Madulo 1

Col T Motloung - Senior Staff Officer: Parliamentary Liaison Officer SANDF

Chaplain SJ Dithipe - Division Chaplain

SCWO MP Tladi - Sergeant Major of the Army

1.3 Programme

The Portfolio Committee members were welcomed by the Chief of Staff of the SANDF, Lt Gen FM Ramantswana, and the Chief of the SA Army, Lt Gen LK Mbatha. The Generals expressed appreciation for the visit by the Committee as this is indicative of the support of this oversight body. They added that this should serve to motivate the troops during such trying times. The SANDF committed its resolve to continue with Exercise Vukuhlome in spite of the tragic event which took place. This is in pursuit of the mandate of the SANDF, to defend and protect the Republic, a task they noted is taken with the utmost seriousness by SANDF members.

The Committee commenced its visit with a briefing and thereafter undertook a tour of the training area. The Committee was briefed on the objectives of the Integrated Exercise; various Brigades that are deployed within training centre; the sequence of events which lead to the deaths of the six soldiers; soldier’s injuries and treatment; equipment losses suffered and the interventions made to mitigate against future occurrences of that nature.

The Committee was thereafter taken to the Training area, where the fire took place, wherein the Members were briefed by Officers Commanding who were present on the fateful day. The Officers Commanding narrated the events which took place on the day, setting out how they detected the fire, what actions were taken to combat the fire and how the soldiers were injured of which six subsequently departed.

2. Meeting Session

2.1. Presentation by the Department of Defence on the fire breakout at the SA Army Combat Training Centre

The Department of Defence briefed the Committee on the sequence of events which led to the fire breakout that resulted in the death of the six soldiers, injuries to a number of soldiers and the destruction of some equipment. The Committee was informed that the SA Army executes Exercise MADULO I (Ex VUKUHLOME) on an annual basis. This is a SA Army unique combat readiness conventional training exercise to determine the operational capabilities of the SA Army. This year (2023) was no different and forces moved into the SA Army Combat Training Centre as from middle September 2023 to execute the exercise.

Integrated exercise objectives were highlighted as follows:

Plan and conduct Conventional Operations, using operational planning processes addressing all phases of war.
Plan and execute joint air ground operations.
Plan and conduct Military Operations Other Than War.
Execute inter-agency liaison and cooperation amongst government organisations and NGOs.
Render operational law support, including Law of Armed Conflict, applying the Sexual Offence and other related matters Act, during Operations as well as attending to operation related incidents.
Exercise command and staff in media handling.
Plan, provide and practice the full spectrum of Military Health Support during Operations.
Validate policies, doctrine and procedures of the Division and Brigade Headquarters.
Practicing Communication.
Respond and effectively deal with improvised explosive devices mines, unexploded ordinance and booby traps.
Safety planning and application.

The SANDF narrated the events of the fire as follows:

On 06 October 2023 at 11:43, during preparations for the exercise the SA Army Combat Training Centre, personnel became aware of a fire that originated outside the training area.
The Fire Brigade detachment deployed at the Delta 5 area of the Training Centre, which served as an early warning, alerted the Safety Officer of the fire and also contacted the Kathu Fire Prevention Agency to assist in combating the fire while it was still on the western side of the N14 road.
The Safety Officer also informed Exercise Control in the base that took over command of the situation.
The fire that originated outside the training area was fanned by a westerly wind of approximately 73km/h.
The Fire Brigade at Delta 5 assisted the Kathu Fire Prevention Agency to combat the fire on the western side of the N14 road, but the fire was uncontrollable due to the wind speed and the consistent change of the wind direction.
The rest of the Fire Brigade vehicles were redeployed to assist in case the fire jumps into the training area.
At this stage all Units of 46 Motorised Brigade were placed on high alert with the intention of extinguishing the fire. The fire brigade was also deployed to the area and was later reinforced.
At approximately 13:45 the fire crossed into the training area at a position called Delta 5.
The fire crossed into the training range five kilometres North of Delta 5 and three kilometres South of Delta 5.
At this stage the fire was uncontrollable due to the wind speed and the intensity of the fire.
The fire was engaging on three fronts, from the Northern side of Delta 5 into the deployment area of 2 South African Infantry Battalion, and on the southern side of Delta 5.
It first moved in a Southerly direction and then into an Easterly direction towards the 121 South African Infantry Battalion deployment area. The fire engulfed and encircled all the deployment areas.
The fire brigade stationed at Delta 5 fought the fire. They pre-burned an area North of Delta 5 in order to declare it a safe area for forces to evacuate to.
The rest of the members assisted to fight the fire with fire beaters and water bunkers.
The fire caused the 46 Motorised Brigade members to retreat to safe areas as they were fighting the fire.
Although the fire breaks within the training area are maintained, this was not sufficient to prevent the fire from entering the range and spreading rapidly.
Due to the uncontrollable rapid spreading of the fire it was not possible to remove all the vehicles and the danger it posed for personnel to get in a vehicle.
The 46 Motorised Brigade and the fire brigade members fought the fire until last light, after which members were grouped for roll call and losses consolidated.
At roll call the 121 South African Infantry Battalion Commander indicated that there are three losses and 15 minutes later a further two losses were reported.
A sixth member later passed-on in the Lenmed Kathu Private Hospital.
All members that sustained injuries (burn wounds and other) were treated on the scene prior to evacuation.

2.2. Patient injuries and treatment

The SANDF provided an account of all Members that were injured and the various treatment processes that were undertaken to ensure the survival of all injured personnel.

The 46 Motorised Brigade strength at the time of the incident deployed in the area was 1 177.
Out of this strength only 19 patients were seen over the period 6 to 7 October 2023 at the SA Army Combat Training Centre Level 2 Field Hospital.
Out of the 19 patients, 5 patients were treated and immediately discharged.
Fourteen (14) Patients were admitted at the Level 2 Field hospital of which nine patients were later discharged from the Level 2 Field Hospital.
They were treated for smoke inhalation and minor blisters.
Out of the 14 patients, there were five patients that had severe burns.
Due to the nature of their burns, two were directly transferred to 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein, from the Level 2 Field Hospital.
The other three patients with severe burns were transferred and treated at Lenmed Hospital in Kathu, one patient later passed on at Lenmed Hospital.
The other two patients were later transferred to 3 Military Hospital.
Out of the four patients at 3 Military Hospital, one patient was discharged and is recovering at home and is withdrawn from the exercise.
Two patients were later discharged and are continuing with the exercise.
One patient was transferred from 3 Military Hospital to 1 Military Hospital, and is in a stable condition.
A total of six members of the SA Army died as a result of the fire.

3.3. Equipment Losses

The SANDF tabulated the equipment losses as follows:

Casspirs APC x 12
SAMIL Logistical Vehicles x 14
35mm AA Guns x 4
10 Ton Trailers x 6
Water treatment plant x 1
Most camping equipment (tents, bedding, etc)
Various signal (radio) systems
Battle dress, personal equipment and other equipment of 850 members
Level 1 Medical Facility (containerised medical facility)

3.4. Interventions to ensure safety

The following interventions were developed to ensure the safety of our troops for continuation of the exercise:

As part of the ministerial priority after the fires at Walmansthal, the Chief Army tasked Project KOBA-TLALA with facilitating the training of SA Army Reserve members as ‘auxiliary’ fire-fighters, specifically to combat grass/bush fires and to augment the existing Regular Fire and Rescue capability at the SA Army training grounds at the SA Army Combat Training Centre, De Brug and Wallmansthal.
The training was done by an external service provider and they completed ‘wildland’ firefighting training courses.
The soldiers affected were supported through donations from other Services within the SANDF, own members and especially SA Army Foundation donations.
The families were supported by the Chaplaincy Service and were also transported to the SA Army Combat Training Centre to identify bodies of the loved ones and attend memorial services.
The SA Army will continue to grade and maintain firebreaks as well as do pre-burning in areas where shooting is going to take place.
Grading and cleaning of areas around field bases will continue.
Building stop walls around each brigade and battalion deployment area will be put in place.
The Fire Brigades will remain on standby and will be deployed on readiness to respond immediately and work closely with the other role-players and the broader community.
The SA Army requested a helicopter on standby with a “Bambi bucket’’.
Emergency drills will be done in all bases.
Soldiers have been re-issued with camouflage uniform, camping equipment (tents, stretchers and mattresses) and units have been re-deployed in the field.

In conclusion, the SANDF committed that the exercise will continue, as 46 Motorised Brigade is the standby Brigade for internal and external eventualities. The replacement equipment has been sourced from various depots and units in order to re-equip the force without delay. To ensure a successful hosting of the exercise, the SANDF further committed to do Continuation and Integrated Training and focus on getting the land forces combat ready. The multi-disciplinary team counselled all the impacted members to debrief them.

The quantity and extent of Prime Mission Equipment and general equipment damage is currently being evaluated. A Board of Inquiry has been convened in order to determine the cause of the incident and to recommend actions to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence, determine lessons that should be taken from the incident and how the SANDF can improve its readiness for future fires. A memorial service was held at SA Army Combat Training Centre on 12 October 2023, as well as at 121 South African Infantry Battalion in Mtubatuba on 18 October 2023. The funerals were executed over the period 21 to 22 October 2023 and a final one was to take place on the 29 October 2023.

4. Committee Observations

The following are some of the observations made by the Committee:

The Committee extended its condolences and message of support to the members of the SANDF and the families of the deceased soldiers, as well as those injured during the fire. The Committee highlighted that this was a tragic period for the SANDF seeing that it had lost a total of 13 soldiers within a period of two weeks, during a time when there was no active warfare. The Committee further noted that this happens at a time when the responsibilities and demands on the SANDF are increasing as a result of internal and external deployments.
The Committee further expressed concern that the fire is reported to have emanated from the adjacent mine. The Committee queried whether the SANDF plans to lodge a legal claim against the mine to recover the losses suffered as a result of the fire. The Committee was informed that the outcome of the Board of Inquiry would determine whether any legal consequences would follow depending on its recommendations.
The Committee noted the extreme weather conditions that are experienced within the area which can be attributed to global warming; thus, the region is dry and has become prone to wildfires. The Committee questioned the capacity of the DOD fire-fighting brigades to effectively deal with the frequent fires. The DOD acceded that the current fire-fighting capability is wholly inadequate and under resourced to respond to the magnitude of the fires that the region has been subjected to as a result of the extreme weather conditions.
The Committee noted a need to ensure that the SANDF is equipped in order to respond adequately to the frequent fires within the area.
The Committee noted that the training area is vast (about 158 000 hectares), which makes it impossible for the SANDF to monitor and detect fires throughout this terrain.
The Committee queried whether the fire-breaks and pre-burning have been maintained in order to ensure that this provides deterrent to the escalation of fire in the event that a fire erupts. The Committee was reassured that the fire-breaks are maintained annually and had recently been prepared and inspected in preparation for Exercise Vukuhlome. The DOD acceded that due to the intensity and velocity of the fire there is a need to enlarge the normal prescribed diameter of the fire breaks.
The Committee highlighted the importance of cordial civil-military relations during such disasters, in order to foster collaborations with local communities in dealing with challenges of this nature.
The Committee queried whether the Department has insurance cover for its equipment in the event of accidental loss? The DOD informed the Committee that none of its prime mission equipment is insured due to inherent dangers associated with the military.
The Committee applauded the SANDF for the efforts of soldiers in fighting the ferocious fires. The Committee made an observation that due to the capacity constraints, the intensity of the fire and speed of the wind, there is not much that the soldiers present could have done better to prevent the losses suffered. The Committee also noted the instituted Board of Inquiry into the matter and called on the Report to be made available to the Committee once it has been finalised.

8. Tour of the facility

Having concluded the briefing meeting and deliberations on the matters, the Committee was thereafter taken to the vast training area where the fire occurred. The Committee was briefed by Officers Commanding who were present on the scene of the fire. The Officers Commanding narrated the events which took place on the day, setting out how they picked up the fire, what actions were taken to combat the fire and how the six soldiers died.

9. Recommendations

The Committee made the following Recommendations:

While the Committee is aware of the effects of the current budget cuts on the Department of Defence, the Committee calls on the Department to prioritise the measures instituted to ensure the safety of soldiers at the SA Army Training Centre. The Committee recommends that the Department of Defence must capacitate the fire-fighting unit within the SA Army Combat Training Centre with the required equipment and personnel in order to adequately respond to the frequent fires within the area.
Noting that the SA Army Training Centre is about 158 000 hectares, the Committee recommends that the Department of Defence utilises technology to monitor the vast terrain within the training area through the use of drones and video-camera surveillance, particularly along the perimeter fence.
The Committee further recommends that the SANDF revises its standard operating procedures for measures to prevent fires and prevent escalation of fires, including the diameter or size of fire-breaks, the frequency of drills and inspections and related training.
The Committee recommends that the Department of Defence explores the possibility of instituting a legal claim against the mine, from whom it is suspected that the fire emanated from, provided that culpability has been determined by the Board of Inquiry.

Report to be considered.

Documents