The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has clarified that the attacker in the stabbing incident at the Macadamia Military Base near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, is one of the deceased members.

It is alleged that the attacker, a SANDF member, stabbed one of his colleagues to death and injured another following an altercation.

He also turned the knife to himself, to end his life. The injured member is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Earlier, SANDF had communicated that the injured member had been arrested in connection with the incident.

SANDF Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala elaborates on the incident, “This incident had occurred during an operation called Operation Corona. Allegedly a member of the SANDF, who had been approved for withdrawal from duty, had attacked fellow soldiers inside the accommodation bungalow. One member died during the incident and the attacker later died from wounds which he stabbed himself on the neck. The SANDF and the South African Police Service have launched a full joint investigation. The Military Health and Chaplain Services have been deployed to support the affected members by bringing psycho support.”

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane speaks on their investigations.

“As police we are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder, also an inquest after an incident that occurred at Macadamia Base Camp for SANDF, where apparently as the police we were told that there’s an alleged fight that occurred amongst individuals there, but investigations are still ongoing, no arrest as yet.”