Widower of SA Navy commander killed in submarine accident pursues culpable homicide case

The husband of a South African Navy commander who died after being swept off a submarine in stormy seas off the coast of Kommetjie said he is assisting the Hawks with a culpable homicide case related to the incident.

Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Mojela all died during the incident in September 2023.

Commander Romero Hector, Gillian's widower, said he has enough evidence to show the SA Navy was guilty of negligence.

Commander Hector stressed the importance of holding the SA Navy accountable for the incident that led to his wife's death. He says assisting the Hawks with the culpable homicide investigation is the only way to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

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"My focus, as I am here now, is still to support the Hawks 100% so that inquest and the culpable homicide case be given as much attention as it can so that people can be held accountable," Hector said.

Hector recently obtained a classified report into the incident which suggests that both the SA Navy and the captain on duty were guilty of possible negligence.

The SA Navy said it has since handed the same report to the Hawks to cooperate with its investigation.