Johannesburg,South Africa

The Commander-in-Chief of South Africa's Armed Forces,President Cyril Ramaphosa is heartbroken by the untimely death of three crew members of the South African Navy submarine SAS Manthatisi.

The submarine perished at the sea off Kommetjie near Cape Town on Wednesday,20 September 2023 after rough high waves on the sea.

When the horrible incident occurred the SAS Manthatisi was en route to Cape Town while conducting a vertical transfer(VERTREP} by means of a SA Air Force Maritime Lynx helicopter,when high waves swept seven crew members out to sea.

The Presidency said the rough seas has affected the rescue and recovery operation in which the National Sea Rescue Institute assisted.

The Presidency added that while all crew members were recovered,three fatalities were recorded.Other crew members,including a senior officer in a critical condition,are being treated in hospital.

President Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to all affected parties and also wished a speed recovery to all injured personnel.

President Ramaphosa said:"This is a sad loss for our nation and for our brave armed forces in particular who routinely face danger in order so that all of us can be safe and secure.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the families,friends,commanders and colleagues of the crew members we have lost.

"We wish the injured personnel a fully recovery from a physical and psychological trauma they experienced during this tragedy.

"We also appreciate the efforts of all role players who,at great risk to themselves,undertook the rescue operation."

Today,on 21 September 2023,the South African National Defence Force has released media statement where it is expressed its condolences to affected by the death of submariners.

SANDF statement said,it is with deep sadness that the SANDF announces the tragic loss of three SA Navy submariners off Kommetjie on 20 September on board the SAS MANTHATISI.The families of the deceased members have been notified and military Chaplains and social workers are offering support to the family.

And the South African National Defence Force(SANDF) has announced the names of three submariners who died in an incident are:Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector(Executive Officer),Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa(Coxswain) and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela(Coxswain under training).

The National Sea Rescue Institute(NSRI) crew was able to rush to the scene to help the SA Navy which was experiencing difficulties on the sea due to high waves.

According to NSRI,the NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated after the neighbor of NSRI Kommetjie station commander Dave Smith called him on the phone reporting what he suspected to be SA Navy personnel washed off an SA Navy vessel off-shore of Slangkop Lighthouse.