The Waterkloof Air Force Base is the latest national key point to go up in flames and according to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), nothing is being ruled out in the investigation.
Was the Waterkloof Air Force Base fire caused by arson?
Murmurs are abuzz with speculation on what may have led to the inferno witnessed on Sunday. Seasoned investigative journalist Karyn Maughan ramped up the rumour mill with a tweet, where she refused to comprehend how the fires that have ravaged historic institutions, i.e, the University of Cape Town, Parliament and the Denel munitions factory, could be random events not related to arson.
UCT
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) January 23, 2022
Parliament
Justice dept building in CT
Charlotte Maxeke hospital
Denel munitions factory in CT
all damaged by massive fires – arson suspected at the National Assembly and committed during July unrest
Now Waterkloof airbase in flames
This. Is. Not. Normal. https://t.co/W2W2MwxGsl
In a statement released on Monday, the South African military confirmed the incident took place at the Bulk Fuel Depot, at approximately 19:00 “and was contained within the hour after it broke out by the South African Air Force firefighting teams.”
“The cause of the fire, the magnitude of the damage and the cost of damage to the Bulk Fuel Depot will form part of an investigation that will interrogate all events and/or incidents that might have led to the fire breakout at the Base,” the SANDF noted.
Preliminary checks suggested that “no structural damage was reported.”
This is a developing story.