Hon Chair, the answer to the question raised by hon Mncwango is as follows. The SA Navy categorically states that none of its submarines had collided with a harbour wall in East London. However, it is hereby confirmed that the SA submarine, the SAS Queen Modjadji I, made contact with the sea bottom mud and sand on 18 July 2012 during a failed routine diving safety drill and hydraulic-oil pressure exercise.
The SA Navy convened a formal board of inquiry to determine all the factors that had given rise to this incident. Furthermore, the board of inquiry made recommendations on the submarine doctrine utilised, the standard operating procedures, training curricular in force, and possible engineering changes that may have to be implemented on board the three SA Navy submarines.
A technical investigation has determined that the SAS Queen Modjadji I has only suffered an indentation, which is approximately 1,5 m by 1,5 m, to the outer protective plating of 7,8 mm on the bow, protecting main ballast tank number 5.
The technical investigation has determined that the submarine has suffered no damage to the pressure hull or any of the systems on board. None of the members of the crew were injured during this incident.
All members of the crew were psychologically evaluated after the incident as part of the normal procedure. All formal members of the submarine crew had been sufficiently trained, as was proven by the actions taken after the incident.
Yes, the SA Navy has instituted a procedure whereby all members of a submarine crew, as a team, will on a regular basis exercise complex submarine evolutions of some kind ashore before proceeding to sea. I thank you.