As the Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s armed forces, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his profound sadness at the deaths of six soldiers who died in a Northern Cape fire. 

Four males and one woman were killed in the fire that started on Friday.

The fire also caused injuries to several members of staff.

Social media videos of the fire can be seen with a number of military vehicles, tents, and other equipment on fire.

The troops, according to the Presidency, were part of a military exercise named Vukuhlome.

“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced on Saturday that a wildfire that had originated in Khathu in the Gamagara Local Municipality had reached the military base where six soldiers died in the blaze while three were injured and the army lost equipment including vehicles,” said the Presidency on Sunday.

President Ramaphosa has since offered his deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased SANDF members.

“The President wishes the injured SANDF members a speedy and comfortable recovery and his thoughts are with survivors who witnessed this tragedy,” said the Presidency.