The investigation into the tragic incident that claimed the lives of three sailors after their submarine was struck by a massive wave in Kommetjie last September remains ongoing. Despite eight months passing since the event, the SA Navy has not provided any conclusive findings regarding the events of 20 September 2023.
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Seven sailors were swept from the deck of the SAS Manthatisi off the coast of Cape Town, resulting in the tragic loss of Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Class One Mokwapa Lucas Mojela.
According to News24, SA Navy commander Theo Mabina said that the board of inquiry responsible for the investigation has yet to reach a final conclusion.
‘The [investigation] will not be considered finished until all internal processes have been completed.
‘These include review processes by the convening authority and SANDF legal authorities that are meant to check, reconcile, and assure compliance with the terms of reference issued by the convening authority as well as all applicable laws and regulations,’ Mabina said.
Additionally, the SA Navy emphasised that briefing the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, as well as the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), would be necessary before concluding the investigation.
The SAS Manthatisi was on its way to Cape Town when it encountered rough seas off Kommetjie. The SA Navy explained that the crew had been engaged in a ‘vertical transfer’ using an SA Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter, a procedure that was aborted to facilitate the recovery of those swept overboard.
The SA Navy said, ‘A surface swimmer was dispatched from the helicopter to assist with the rescue. Unfortunately, the recovery operation was negatively affected by rough sea conditions.’
During a memorial held for the deceased sailors shortly after the incident, Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the SA Navy, announced to a gathered crowd in a filled community hall that three significant sections of the navy would be renamed in honour of the fallen sailors.
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Picture: @uJesuOmnyama / X
