logo
SAS Manthatisi tragedy: Widower welcomes handing over inquiry report to Hawks

SAS Manthatisi tragedy: Widower welcomes handing over inquiry report to Hawks

Eyewitness News10-07-2025
CAPE TOWN - South African Navy Commander Romero Hector, whose wife died in the 2023 tragedy involving a Navy submarine, has welcomed the handing over of the board of inquiry report to the Hawks.
Lieutenant Commander Gillian Hector and her colleagues, Master Warrant Officer William Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mokwapa Mojela, died after being swept off the submarine off the Cape coast.
ALSO READ:
- SA Navy to cooperate with Hawks as it investigates SAS Manthatisi tragedy
- Board of inquiry wraps up investigation into SAS Manthatisi tragedy
- SAS Manthatisi tragedy: Widower of deceased SA Navy commander wants answers
They were involved in a training drill in stormy sea conditions off Kommetjie in September 2023.
A board of inquiry looking into the cause of the tragic incident has wrapped up its work and the report handed over to the Hawks for further investigations.
However, Hector, who has been looking for answers on what exactly caused his wife's death, said he has still not seen the report.
He has told Eyewitness News that he has been seeking answers from his superiors for over a year now after suspecting negligence, but he's been met with red tape.
Hector said his lawyers wrote to the office of the Navy again to try and obtain a copy to proceed with his civil matter.
He hopes a copy of the board of Inquiry probe will be made available to him as soon as possible.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shop owner accused of illegally selling controlled medicine
Shop owner accused of illegally selling controlled medicine

The South African

time3 days ago

  • The South African

Shop owner accused of illegally selling controlled medicine

This morning, Hawks arrested Rianne Janse van Rensburg, the owner of Muscle Mecca Shop, in Mpumalanga. Rensburg is facing a charge of the contravention of the Medicine and Related Substances Act. Rensburg appeared before the Evander District Court, with his co-accused, Paul Stephen Corbitt and Marco Rodolph Meintjies standing beside him. They are employees of Muscle Mecca Shop. 'Their appearance came after they were found selling controlled medicine without a valid license,' said Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. According to Nkosi, the Secunda based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit had been investigating the shop for a while. They subsequently discovered that the retailer was allegedly selling pharmaceutical products that require prescriptions, over the counter. On 11 September 2024, the court granted the unit a search warrant. After the Hawks searched Muscle Mecca, they immediately arrested Corbitt and Meintjies. 'During the search, Jansen van Rensburg was not at the shop,' said Nkosi. Nkosi said Rensburg was released on R5 000 bail today, hours after being nabbed by the Hawks. Corbitt and Meintjies are also currently out on R5000 bail each, following their initial arrest in September. Rensburg, Corbitt and Meintjies will be back in court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. The Hawks will be discussing the merits of the case. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news

Seta scandal: Nkabane claims Ramaphosa has yet to act against her, ahead of Parliament grilling
Seta scandal: Nkabane claims Ramaphosa has yet to act against her, ahead of Parliament grilling

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Seta scandal: Nkabane claims Ramaphosa has yet to act against her, ahead of Parliament grilling

The Hawks is investigating the minister for fraud and lying to Parliament. Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane says President Cyril Ramaphosa has not taken any action against her, amid calls for her dismissal over the controversial appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. Ramaphosa is facing pressure to act after Nkabane allegedly misled Parliament about the advisory panel involved in selecting Seta board chairpersons. The controversy came to light when a leaked list revealed that several of the appointees had connections to the ANC, including Minerals Minister Gwede Mantashe's son Buyambo Mantashe, former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and former ANC KZN deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. ALSO READ: 'A lying minister in Cabinet': Why has Ramaphosa not fired Nkabane? While the appointments were later withdrawn, Nkabane was criticised in Parliament for initially withholding the names of the advisory panel members. The situation worsened after Advocate Terry Motau and two senior officials from the Department of Higher Education denied any involvement in the panel. The DA has since laid a criminal complaint against Nkabane and also reported her to both the Public Protector and Parliament's Ethics Committee. According to the DA, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, is investigating her for fraud and for the statutory offence of lying to Parliament. Nkabane dismisses claims of sanctions On Thursday, Nkabane led a peaceful awareness campaign in Bhisho, Eastern Cape, alongside Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, aimed at raising awareness about Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Speaking to the media, she dismissed reports that Ramaphosa had taken measures against her, including claims that he blocked her recent trip to China with Deputy President Paul Mashatile – even though she was already at OR Tambo International Airport. 'Unfortunately, I only hear about these measures that have been taken against me on social media. There is nothing of that nature,' she said. READ MORE: Will Ramaphosa act? DA lays criminal charges against perjury-accused Nkabane 'I go to Luthuli House from time to time as a deployee of the ANC, and yesterday, I was in a Cabinet [meeting] with the president. There is no discussion of this nature. 'However, maybe it is still coming because some people can speculate and see things before they could happen. 'But at this point in time, I cannot comment because I don't know anything of that nature,' Nkabane continued. Nkabane to be grilled over Seta board appointments Nkabane is scheduled to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Friday. She will be joined by her deputy ministers, the department's director-general, and members of the independent panel that advised on the appointments. The committee plans to question them about the panel's processes and the rationale behind the controversial selections. 'We are somewhat pleased that this engagement will finally take place, allowing us to bring this matter to a close, as we have consistently maintained that accountability is non-negotiable when it comes to the use of public funds,' the committee's chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, said in a statement on Thursday. NOW READ: 'It's the president's prerogative': Nkabane responds as critics demand her axing

Krugersdorp cop under fire over R500 ‘gratification'
Krugersdorp cop under fire over R500 ‘gratification'

The South African

time3 days ago

  • The South African

Krugersdorp cop under fire over R500 ‘gratification'

A Krugersdorp police officer, Warrant Officer Thabo Rodney Nzwane, appeared in the Kagiso Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 16 July. He is facing corruption-related charges for allegedly soliciting a bribe of R10,000 from the family of a suspect. The Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation unit arrested Nzwane. The suspect had been arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, allegedly against his daughter. The suspect had initially been granted bail at the police station, with a court appearance scheduled for the following day. However, during court proceedings, the magistrate revoked the station-level bail, citing the seriousness of the charges. The matter was postponed for a formal bail application. According to a police report, three days before the bail hearing, Nzwane approached the suspect's family and falsely claimed the magistrate had requested R10,000 in exchange for bail. Nzwane was granted bail of R1000 after being arrested by the Hawks. The matter was postponed to 14 August for further investigation. This comes amid KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's recent corruption accusations related to law enforcement agencies in South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store