SAS Manthatisi tragedy: Widower of deceased SA Navy commander wants answers
Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector and two other officers, master warrant officer William Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Mojela, died during the incident on 20 September 2023.
Hector's widower, Commander Romero Hector, who is also an SA Navy officer, says he's ready to approach the courts to establish the truth about what transpired on that day.
The SA Navy's chief, Monde Lobese, presented the findings of a board of inquiry into the tragic incident a year after the officers perished at sea.
The report stated the SAS Manthatisi crew followed their code of conduct and were simply at the right place at the wrong time.
Hector says he approached his superiors for full disclosure of the report after suspecting negligence and foul play, but was met with red tape.
"After I put pressure, with me and my lawyer asking for this, they wrote me a letter saying that the board has reconvened due to new evidence that came forward."
Hector says the findings of the second inquiry were classified late last year.
DA CALLS FOR DECLASSIFICATION OF SA NAVY REPORT
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Department of Defence to declassify a SA Navy report related to the SAS Manthatisi submarine tragedy that resulted in the death of three officers.
Hector was the first female to qualify in her position and was on the verge of becoming the first female commanding officer in the SA Navy.
The DA's parliamentary spokesperson on defence and military veterans, Chris Hattingh, says evidence shows serious failures in planning and operational oversight contributed to the SAS Manthatisi submarine tragedy.
Despite clear weather warnings on 20 September 2023, says Hattingh, the exercise proceeded, ignoring critical safety protocols.The board of inquiry reconvened after new evidence came to light, but its findings were classified late last year.
"This wall of secrecy by defence intelligence and the Department of Defence is a disgrace. Our armed forces deserve transparency, accountability and above all justice."
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (widely known as the Hawks) has confirmed an investigation into the incident is underway.
The SA Navy has indicated it will respond later on Wednesday.
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