Identity
Person No.
49887
Service No.
Unknown
Last Name
First Name
Emmah Thembekile
Initials
E T
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
ACC 1,596
Accident
Cause of Death
Killed when an Oerlikon GDF Mk V 35mm twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun malfunctioned during a live-fire exercise (Exercise Seboka) at the Army Combat Training Centre, Lohatlha, spraying 35mm high-explosive cannon shells around the five-gun firing position; one of nine fatalities (eleven others injured)
Military Service
Rank
Gunner (Miss)
Regiment
Unit
Army Combat Training Centre, Lohatlha
Defence Force
SANDF 1,040
South African National Defence Force
Location
Country
Unknown
Locality
Unknown
Cemetery
Unknown
Grave Reference
Unknown
Notes
Unknown
Research notes
13 Oct 2026: New record. Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post, 13 Oct 2026, Lohatlha Exercise Seboka Oerlikon GDF Mk V malfunction, nine fatalities. No service number given. Not in DB prior to this pass. Distinct from the unrelated Mthimunye, Geelbooi Zamblenzini, PersonNumber 32078 (died 1986, murdered).
14 Oct 2026: Mike Sandham OMISSIONS: 13 OCTOBER confirms this record. Age/rank/unit all matching.
Citations
Unknown
External References
-
Col (rt) Graham du Toit Last Post
Graham Last Post 13 Oct 2026
-
Mike Sandham
Mike Sandham OMISSIONS: 13 OCTOBER, mailed 13 Oct 2026
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