Three years after Manthatisi tragedy, Navy awaits Hawks findings as submarine returns to sea - IOL

Navy officers at the wall of remembrance.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese paying his respects.

Officers and family have a moment of silence.

Three years after three South African Navy submariners were swept to their deaths off Kommetjie, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese said the service has handed its full board of inquiry to the Hawks and is awaiting the outcome of their investigation.

Lobese was speaking on Sunday, September 20, during a wreath-laying and remembrance ceremony at the Assegaai Submarine Museum in Simon’s Town for Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela.

The three died on September 20, 2023, after high waves swept seven crew members from the deck of the SAS Manthatisi while the submarine was conducting a vertical transfer exercise with a South African Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter off Kommetjie. All seven were recovered, but Hector, Mathipa, and Mojela died.

Addressing families, naval personnel, and dignitaries on the third anniversary, Lobese said the remembrance was intended not only to honour the fallen submariners but to preserve their legacy.

He drew a distinction between a memorial and remembrance, saying remembrance was about healing and sustaining a shared sense of belonging following the loss.

The memorial site, unveiled a year ago, would continue to serve as a place where sailors, families, and members of the public could reflect on the sacrifices made by those who serve at sea.

“As we honour our late Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Class 1 Mmokwapa Mojela, let us also be reminded that they served with courage in their respective roles on board South African Ship SAS Manthatisi,” Lobese said.

Following the ceremony, Lobese provided an update on the investigation into the incident, saying the Navy's board of inquiry had been completed and its findings shared with both the families and the Hawks.

“We are cooperating 100% as the South African Navy,” Lobese said, adding that he had personally met investigators and provided them with the complete inquiry.

“All the volumes of that board of inquiry is with the Hawks, and they've never came back to me and said that there's any information missing.”

He said the Navy now awaited the Hawks' findings.

The Hawks investigation was previously confirmed after the Navy completed its own board of inquiry into the deaths.

Lobese also confirmed that SAS Manthatisi, which had remained alongside for maintenance and upkeep following the tragedy, had returned to sea.

He said the submarine participated at sea during Exercise Red Lion last month and was “technically sound and safe”, with crew morale high.

“Whatever that the board of inquiry recommended in terms of the minor shortcomings that were identified, all those have been implemented,” Lobese said.

He added that the Navy wanted its other submarines to return to operational service once maintenance and refits were completed, but said resources, spare parts, and materials remained a challenge.

During the ceremony, the Last Post was sounded before those gathered observed two minutes of silence, followed by Reveille in honour of the three submariners.

Lobese called on serving members to continue the legacy of their fallen colleagues.

“Even though they may have gone, they are never forgotten. We will remember them.”