The South African National Defence Force’s Chief of Joint Operations died shortly after having minor surgery, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Wednesday in Durban.
Lieutenant General Sipho Binda (54) died in One Military hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday night. Earlier in the day he had apparently undergone minor surgery after a car accident on Saturday.
It is believed that Binda suffered heart failure. A full statement is expected to be issued by the Department of Defence later on Wednesday.
Lekota made the announcement of Binda’s death as he opened the final session of the Sixth South Africa/Botswana joint commission at the International Convention Centre in Durban. – Sapa