Two SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers are missing, believed to have drowned, at Port St Johns Second Beach on Saturday.
No lifeguards were on duty at the time as the municipality is yet to permanently appoint them.
A search was launched for the missing men by the NSRI and SANDF using a helicopter soon after their disappearance, but by late yesterday there was no sign of them.
The men were part of a group being trained for deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They cannot be named until their next of kin have been notified.
SANDF spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said the two soldiers, who were based at the Bloemfontein and Oudtshoorn military bases respectively, were swept out to sea at approximately 3.20pm.
He said they were still trying to verify the soldiers’ home towns.
“They are part of the team doing mission readiness training in Port St Johns in preparation for deployment to the DRC,” Mabanga said.
“This is a great loss to the South African National Defence Force to have members who sacrificed their youths and lives to come and protect the country and to ensure there is peace and stability in the continent.”
Mabanga said they appreciated the assistance they had received from their police colleagues and the NSRI.
In a statement yesterday, NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said the two men drowned after one had tried to save his colleague from being swept out to sea. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za