Submarine damage testifies of negligence and poor training

 "The submarine SAS Queen Modjadji's accident with the seabed speaks of negligence and poor training. To allege that an investigation has to be instituted into safety measures is to mislead the public as if this was the problem. The reality is that there are existing safety measures and that the submarine has sufficient instrumentation which warns when the submarine is too close to the seabed. The commanding officer of the submarine should take the responsibility and disciplinary steps should be instituted," Mr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus' chief spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans says.

"The incident is reminiscent of the Lohatla case where anti-aircraft canon killed a number of soldiers. The blame was placed on other aspects except who was responsible for the negligence. A submarine costs taxpayers billions of rand and is not a motor vehicle which can receive a few dents to train the driver. Drastic action should be taken against the responsible person," Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus spokesperson: Defence and Military Veterans, August 13 2012

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