Two years after SAS Manthatisi tragedy: Widower challenges Navy's 'freak wave' explanation

Widower Commander Romero Hector is preparing a civil claim while the Hawks investigate the SAS Manthatisi submarine tragedy two years ago, citing that the Board of Inquiry (BOI) recommended that the Captain face 12 charges relating to negligence.

During an interview with the Cape Argus on Tuesday, Hector, who is a senior navy officer revealed that the 1105 page report of the BOI was a true reflection in its entirety of what transpired on September 23 2023 and called for accountability.

He cited that there was mismanagement and negligence including a submarine which had just been serviced and not authorised properly, weather warning ignored and outdated equipment.

Hector claimed that Chief of the Navy Voice Admiral Monde Lobese had misled the public when he stated that no one was responsible for the tragedy and that a freak wave ie Mother Nature had been the cause.

“I am happy with the BOI, it was a thorough investigation,” Hector said.

“There are two investigations, criminal and civil, which is us.

“We are preparing the civil documents for court, to sue them for negligence.

“It is about accountability, and people who will be held responsible.”

In July, the SA Navy handed over a copy of the BOI to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks).

On Tuesday, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, Head of Communication for the Hawks said they could not comment on the investigation: "Investigation into this matter is still ongoing and the details thereof cannot be made public at this stage so as to protect the integrity of the investigation,” she said.

The SA Navy said in their response various forms of communication was delivered with the outcome of the BOI and that its entirety was classified.

"Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, has on numerous occasions and across various platforms, including internal forums, public engagements, and media interactions communicated the Board of Inquiry’s (BOI) outcomes, findings, and recommendations to relevant stakeholders.

"Most importantly, these findings were formally shared with the families of the deceased submariners during a dedicated family engagement sitting held in September 2024.There have been no new significant developments since the BOI was formally handed over to the Hawks in July 2025 for their investigations.

"The Hawks are now the competent authority to determine whether any charges will arise from the findings.

"Regarding the public release of the entire report, the SA Navy confirms that the report is a classified Defence document subject to the relevant military security regulations. In accordance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA),requests for access may be submitted and processed through the Department of Defence’s legal channels.

"What has been released publicly thus far is consistent with the Chief of the Navy’s undertaking to transparency, made at the time when the BOI was announced, and in adherence to all applicable Defence legal prescripts and regulatory frameworks.

"Whenever the need arise, the SA Navy will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the Hawks and all other relevant authorities. Once all legal and investigative processes are concluded, the SA Navy will support the release of appropriate information in a manner that both upholds transparency and safeguards the legal rights, dignity, and privacy of all parties involved."

The South African National Defence Force did not respond to queries by the Cape Argus.

Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector, Warrant Officer William Malesela Mathipa, and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Lucas Mojela were killed when high waves impacted a vertical transfer exercise involving the South African Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter and the SA Navy’s submarine SAS Manthatisi in Kommetjie.

The submarine was on route to Cape Town when seven crew members were swept out to sea during the incident, of whom four survived.

During the one year anniversary, Lobese, shared insight into the BOI, in which he said equipment could not withstand the force of nature and that it had been a freak wave.

“The Chief of the Navy stated that it was a freak wave accident and that there was no chance of preventing it and that there was no negligence involved,” said Hector.

“What we are saying is that we have received our copy of the BOI, and what the Chief said, was not true because the BOI, speaks of multiple counts of negligence and of procedural flaws, that was not followed, to an extent where it was completely preventable.

“The one thing which is important to note is that the Chief said no one can be blamed but the BOI recommended 12 charges of negligence against the Captain of the submarine."

 “To the extent of his competence (captain) and experience in terms of handling particular situations because when he jumped into the water, the sh*t hit the fan.

“It was said my wife asked if they were really going to go ahead.

“Those charges that were recommended  against the captain should have been handed over to the prosecutor to investigate.

“What the Chief said is misleading to the public.

"It was dangerous seas and swells fluctuating from the 19th straight to the 20th with between six and ten metres waves and the fact that the submarine came out of service, and was not authorised to do an operation, so who authorised it.

"On top of that you have these freak high swells and this person just continuously persisted to do that and then people found themselves with outdated equipment which malfunctioned."

* This article has been updated to include a response from the SA Navy.

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