Submarine Squadron Memorial unveiled to honour fallen naval officers

Two years after the SAS MANTHATISI tragedy in Kommetjie which claimed the lives of three naval officers, the Chief of the SA Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese unveiled the Submarine Squadron Memorial site at the SAS Submarine Museum and announced that the day of the incident would be recognised.

Lobese said September 20th would now officially be recognised as Submarine Squadron day symbolising a day of remembrance, unit, recognition and courage for past and present submariners.

The families of Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Class 1 Lucas Mojela, tragically lost their lives during a vertical transfer exercise off Kommetjie in 2023, attended the memorial on Saturday at the naval base.

Lobese said as he did the unveiling of the plagues that it would be a reminder of courage: “The memorial plaque I will be unveiling is a noble reminder of our brave submariners who lost their lives while serving their country. It is a symbol to honour their bravery and commitment and acknowledges the dangers they got exposed to whilst working at the seafloor.

“It is the South African Navy’s historic landmark, so that the history of these submariners and their services to the Navy shall never be forgotten. It will serve as a reminder of legacy left behind, which will serve as an inspiration to future and present sailors. It is a testament of honor and determination, a source of inspiration for others to live through these codes as they embark on their own naval career.

“This commemorative plaques fosters a sense of community among submariners, their families, and the greater Naval Community.

“The plaque is also an educational device, teaching and reminding members of the public and visitors about the significance of particular day and raising awareness and generating respect and admiration for the sacrifices that these sailors made in their service of our constitution and the people.”

A year after the tragedy, the Submarine buildings where the naval officers worked and trained were renamed after them during a commemorative ceremony and the naval officers who attempted to save the lives of their colleagues received medals for bravery.

In June,  the SA Navy handed over a copy of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, into the investigation of the deaths.

Widower of Lieutenant Commander Hector, Romero Hector, under his TikTok account name: Romero&GillianHector, embarked on a cycling campaign titled: #justice4submarine3 and completed 800 kilometres within four days by capturing and documenting his journey.

Earlier, DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh,  said evidence shows that serious failures in planning and operational oversight directly contributed to the fatal outcome and called for declassification of the report.

During the one year anniversary, Lobese shared insight into the BOI with the media, in which he said equipment such as safety gear and the safety line and life jackets could not withstand the force of nature during the incident, of whom four survived.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus