Submariner widower accused of snubbing SANDF won’t be drawn

The widower of late submariner, Lieutenant-Commander Gillian Hector, has refused to be drawn into allegations that he snubbed several attempts to brief him on developments relating to the SAS Manthatisi submarine tragedy and its investigations.

Hector, along with Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela, died on September 20, last year, during a vertical transfer exercise (VERTREP) exercise, while performing the exercise in Kommetjie.

The SANDF recently said its board of inquiry found that the safety line used during the VERTREP was not conducive to carrying a lot of members at the same time and that the line to the safety harness was too long.

Since the board of inquiry was launched, the line was improved to ensure that it would not stretch and it would be capable of handling five members at the same time. It will also be reduced to ensure that members will not be submerged when slipping from the casing.

Also, the life jackets which were standard and could hold up to 120kg have now been modernised and improved to hold 270kg.

Mariners who carry out such exercises will now be required to wear safety headgear when stepping on the submarine casing.

Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the SA Navy, first briefed the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the families of the late submariners last week.

However, the SANDF further issued a statement related to widower Romero Hector’s allegations that he was not briefed in person and allegedly heard the findings via media reports and a press release.

The SANDF said it made attempts to engage Hector on its findings but it appeared that Hector, still employed by the Navy, “would rather elect to alienate himself from the organisation”.

Responding to the claims, Hector told the “Cape Times” on Monday that he was in contact with his lawyer regarding the matter and they were “drafting a response”.

“I am still an employed member of the SANDF and do not want to jeopardise (anything),” said Hector.

Earlier this year, Hector confirmed he was restricted from speaking to the media but said he wanted answers and “deserved to know the truth”.

SANDF said: “Whilst this incident remains one of the most tragic events in the history of the SA Navy, and the emotions of family members who lost loved ones are understandably affected, there were some accusations made by Commander Romero Hector against the person of Chief of the South African Navy, Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese, that should be addressed.

“Commander Hector is not truthful in his claims of not being informed about the briefing where the Chief of the Navy had planned to give to the family members the findings of the BOI. In fact, formal communication (in the form of a signal) was issued to the unit where Commander Hector works on Friday 30 August 2024, authorising him to make his way to Simon’s Town to be briefed by the Chief of the Navy on Wednesday 4 September 2024.

The member was also called and informed that this signal authority is available, and that he should make travel arrangements.

A signal such as this is the formal communication used in the SA Navy, and authorises a member to book a flight and accommodation at the destination.

Commander Hector elected not to make use of this opportunity,” read the statement.

Cape Times