Widower of Lt Commander Gillian Hector says SA Navy failed him after Kommetjie submarine disaster
It's been nearly two years since a tragic submarine accident claimed the lives of three dedicated South African Navy officers.
From left to right, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Commander Charles Phokane and the late Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector. Picture: Supplied/SA Navy
The Hawks have officially received the Board of Inquiry report into the Kommetjie disaster.
The tragedy occurred during a high-risk vertical transfer exercise in rough seas off the coast of Kommetjie in September 2023.
Despite the official handover of the report, families argue that there remains a lack of transparency, and access to the findings has been hindered by delays and red tape.
Advocate for Military Accountability, Romero Hector, is the widower of Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector. He has been on a relentless journey for justice, not just for Gillian, but for all three submariners who lost their lives.
He talks to John Maytham on CapeTalk's Afternoon Drive.
He says that, as a military official himself, he feels the Navy's communication with his family has been subpar.
"The only communication we have received have been written responses that have come through back to my lawyer, where we have received reasons for why we have not received the board report - an this has been the same response we have received since January 2024 when we began taking the legal steps."
- Romero Hector, Widower
He adds all the correspondence received has only communicated that the inquiry 'was in progress.'
"So I was completely taken by surprise as well, to see that they have released it to the Hawks."
- Romero Hector, Widower
He and his legal team have spent the day writing to the Secretary of Defence asking for the report to be made public now that it has been handed to the Hawks.
"Technically, I am just where I was yesterday and the day before - not knowing anything."
- Romero Hector, Widower
He explains that in 2024, the three families were summoned to Simon's Town for a presentation briefing. He, unfortunately, was in Port Elizabeth at the time and was unable to catch a flight in time. He says it proceeded nonetheless, which aggrieved him.
"I believe that was purposefully done because I work in the navy, I work in the submarine environment - so I am sitting with a lot of knowledge about the entire excercise, about the entire status of the boat, which they do not want me to most probably influence the other families. I don't know."
- Romero Hector, Widower
After the missed briefing, he requested the navy for the document to prove that what was being said was true.
"That was the day in the organisation that my life became a living hell - and they still have nt given it (to me)."
- Romero Hector, Widower
Hector clarifies that, although the Hawks case is a criminal matter, his is a civil case.
In the case of the Hawks, he argues the Navy's hand was forced.
"As I have read, there is a case for culpable homicide that they are investigating. There is no entity in the Republic of South Africa that can delay a criminal investigation. So they are bound by law to comply to the Hawks because the hawks are busy with the criminal investigation."
- Romero Hector, Widower
"I don't think I know what happened, I know I know what happened."
- Romero Hector, Widower
“But having that established in a court of law is another matter,” he adds. He can’t share details at this stage, as it could compromise his case.
Will the Board of Inquiry attempt to whitewash the institution and individuals who should be held to account?
"I wouldn't expect anything different from the organisation because it has always been the trend of sweeping matters like this under the carpet."
- Romero Hector, Widower