SUBMARINE DAMAGE DEMANDS DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has confirmed that the submarine, the SAS Queen Modjaji's accident with the seabed has left a dent of 1,5 m by 1,5 m in the hull. It happened during a safety drill with the submarine. A Board of Inquiry will determine what the responsibilities and accountability of the crew was in the cause of the accident. The Minister was replying in Parliament to a question of Mr. Pieter Groenewald of the Freedom Front Plus.
"The reply of the Minister confirms my allegations that there had been negligence and poor training. The exercise was carried out in precisely to imitate such a situation where the hydraulic pressure in the submarine should be stopped. Such exercises have strict security measures that have to be followed and it is clear that these measures were not implemented. The outcome of the Board of Inquiry is being awaited and disciplinary steps should be taken," Mr. Pieter Groenewald, the chief spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans for the Freedom Front Plus, said.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
2100. Mr P J Groenwald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans