SA Navy to cooperate with Hawks as it investigates SAS Manthatisi tragedy
Three sailors died and a senior officer was seriously injured when they were washed off the deck of the submarine, SAS Manthatisi.
FILE: The SA Navy hosted a combined memorial service for Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Mojela at the Wynberg Military Indoor Sport Complex on 27 September 2023. The three submariners lost their lives while doing a vertical transfer on the SAS Manthatisi submarine. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The South African Navy says it will cooperate with the Hawks as it investigates the cause of a 2023 tragedy involving a navy submarine off the Cape coast.
Three sailors died and a senior officer was seriously injured when they were washed off the deck of the submarine, SAS Manthatisi.
READ: Board of inquiry wraps up investigation into SAS Manthatisi tragedy
It's understood that the crew was conducting a vertical transfer (vertrep) exercise with a South African Air Force Lynx helicopter off Kommetjie at the time of the incident.
The South African Navy subsequently convened a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the deadly incident.
That investigation has now been concluded.
SA Navy spokesperson, Theo Mabina, said that they met with the Hawks on Tuesday to hand over the board of inquiry's report.
"The engagements were meant to assist the Hawks with their ongoing investigations into the tragic incident wherein the SA Navy lost three of its submariners following a vertical transfer exercise between SAS Manthatisi and SA Air Force maritime Lynx helicopter in September 2023."
At the time of the incident, the submarine was on its way to Simons Town in Cape Town to take part in a mini navy festival.