The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has vowed to take strong punitive measures against any people abuse on board ships sailing in South African waters.
This comes in the wake of allegations that two stowaways were thrown overboard by the crew of a foreign cargo vessel visiting South Africa recently.
Samsa said the two men, both of Tanzania origin, were reportedly forcibly removed and thrown overboard from a Panama-flagged bulk carrier, the Top Grace, while the vessel was en route from the Port of Durban to Richards Bay.
The ship’s captain and six crew members were charged and have appeared in court while official investigations are continuing, says Samsa.
“It is alleged that the two stowaways boarded the vessel which was berthed at Maydon Wharf in Durban on Monday March 23 by climbing up the mooring ropes and they then hid in the chain locker.
“When they were discovered hiding on the ship, after it had set sail, they alleged that they had been thrown overboard with a make-shift raft, life jackets and some bottles of water. The Tanzanians claimed they spent two days at sea before washing up at Zinkwazi beach on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.”
The vessel has been detained at Richards Bay harbour.
