Parliament must be briefed on SAS Queen Modjaji's nosedive

The Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Refiloe Mudimu, must provide a full briefing to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the accident at sea involving the SAS Queen Modjaji.

Last week the SAS Queen Modjaji, one of three submarines operated by the South African Navy (SAN), reportedly "nosedived" into the seabed while conducting a training exercise between Port Elizabeth and Durban.

The SAS Queen Modjaji was reportedly damaged as a result of the accident. A "serious dent", in the bow section of the boat, is now reportedly being repaired in the Simon's Town Naval Dockyard.

A board of inquiry has reportedly been convened to look into the accident involving the SAS Queen Modjaji. 

Once the board of inquiry has completed its work, a full briefing on the accident must be provided to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence at Parliament.

We have to be absolutely sure that systems are put in place to prevent a similar accident happening again.

There can be absolutely no compromise when it comes to submarine safety.

I will, therefore, be writing to Jerome Maake MP, Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, requesting him to schedule a full briefing on the accident involving the SAS Queen Modjaji.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, August 12 2012

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