This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7041700.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
SA soldiers die during training SA soldiers die during training
(20 minutes later)
Nine South African soldiers have been killed during a training exercise in the central region of Bloemfontein.Nine South African soldiers have been killed during a training exercise in the central region of Bloemfontein.
Fifteen others were injured in the accident involving a 35mm MK5 anti-aircraft gun, army spokesman Brig Gen Kwena Mangope said.Fifteen others were injured in the accident involving a 35mm MK5 anti-aircraft gun, army spokesman Brig Gen Kwena Mangope said.
A probe has been launched into the accident which occurred during Exercise Sekoba, an annual training event.A probe has been launched into the accident which occurred during Exercise Sekoba, an annual training event.
The South African Press Association said close to 5,000 soldiers take part in the joint military exercise.The South African Press Association said close to 5,000 soldiers take part in the joint military exercise.
"I can confirm that nine of our people have died and another 15 were injured and taken to various hospitals around Bloemfontein," Brig Gen Mangope told the AFP news agency."I can confirm that nine of our people have died and another 15 were injured and taken to various hospitals around Bloemfontein," Brig Gen Mangope told the AFP news agency.
The defence minister and army chief of staff have extended their condolences to the soldiers' families, he said.The defence minister and army chief of staff have extended their condolences to the soldiers' families, he said.
Defence ministry spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi told AFP "I can't remember when last an accident of this magnitude happened." Defence ministry spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi told AFP: "I can't remember when last an accident of this magnitude happened."
Witnesses told Radio 702 that the aircraft gun had malfunctioned. Witnesses told South Africa's Talk Radio 702 that the aircraft gun had malfunctioned.
But Mr Mkhwanazi said it was not yet clear whether the accident had been due to human error, or whether something had gone wrong with the weapons being tested. But Mr Mkhwanazi said it was not yet clear whether the accident had been because of human error, or whether something had gone wrong with the weapons being tested.