In Memory Of

WASAS, LESLIE GEORGE

Service Details
Age:
 21
Date of Birth:
 1963-05-25
Service No:
 79402210BT
Rank:
 Rifleman
Unit:
 "C" Coy.
Regiment:
 2nd Transvaal Scottish
Date of Death:
 1984-06-20
Cause of Death:
 Died in Freak Accident, drowned near the Epupa Falls on the Cunene River. Rifleman Boshoff and Wasas were on the Angolan side, trying to get back to the Namibian side. The log they had used to get to Angola from Namibia had disappeared down through the rapids. Wasas entered the river and got pulled through the rapids and most likely hit his head on a rock, losing consciousness. Boshoff and the section leader ran alongside the embankment of the river, past the rapids until they found a more calm spot and proceeded to swim across. When the section leader reached the Namibian side he could see Boshoff battling to keep his head above the water. He threw his arms in the air and got pulled under and disappeared. The section leader maintains he was pulled under by a whirlpool. Both bodies were found about 25 kms down the river. Boshoff 6 days later and Wasas 7 days later by a group of men in a boat who were sent to search for them.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 R.C. "M" Sec. Grave 4399/4400
Cemetery:
 JOHANNESBURG (WEST PARK) CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Gauteng
Country:
 South Africa
Additional Information
Wasas's wife, was pregnant at the time of his death. His wife gave birth to a daughter, which she named Lesley after him.