Africa-Press – South-Africa. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has released the identities of the three naval officers who died on Wednesday when a wave battered a submarine in Kommetjie.
In a statement, the SANDF identified the officers as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector (executive officer), Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa (coxswain) and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela (coxswain in training).
They were aboard the SAS Manthatisi.
Hector was the first female officer in Africa to navigate a submarine.
In a statement, the SANDF said Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise; Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla; chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya; chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese; and Flag Officer Fleet, and Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde “extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues of the submariners”.
News24 previously reported that the three officers died when a “huge wave” hit the submarine.
Five others were rescued.
Preliminary reports suggest the two men who died were washed out to sea after the wave hit during what appeared to be an exercise.
Hector’s body was recovered from the submarine.
“One SA Navy officer remained onboard the naval vessel and in a coordinated operation, during the late afternoon, offshore of Hout Bay, an SA Air Force helicopter deployed NSRI ASR rescue swimmers and EMS rescue paramedics onboard where the adult female was extricated from the vessel and CPR efforts were commenced. NSRI Hout Bay dispatched an NSRI rescue craft and crew to assist at the navy vessel. Sadly, despite extensive CPR efforts, the female officer was declared deceased,” the NSRI said in a statement.
One of the rescued people was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and the other four did not suffer significant injuries and did not need to be hospitalised.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Cyril Xaba, said he was deeply saddened by the deaths.
He commended emergency services officials for the rescue.
Xaba said:
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis conveyed his condolences.
“I extend my condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the SA Navy mariners who passed away as a result of the tragic incident off our coastline on Wednesday. We mourn their loss and pray that they will know our gratitude for their service to our country,” he said.
“Our thoughts are also with the survivors for a full recovery. May everyone impacted by this tragedy find peace and strength in this difficult time.”
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