The United Democratic Movement expresses its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues of the three naval officers who died on Wednesday when a wave sank their submarine in Kommetjie, near Cape Town.
Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, the first female naval officer in Africa to navigate a submarine, was among those killed, making her death a continental tragedy.
The officers have been identified by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and the other two are Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela.
Our hearts go out to the families of the departed; may the Lord be with them during these difficult times. We wish the one officer who has been admitted to the hospital a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with those who have survived.
Issued by:
Mr Yongama Zigebe
UDM Secretary General
