Cape Town - The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has rubbished reports of a naval cannon gun being fired at a mountain range in Simon’s Town at the weekend.
The Weekend Argus reported that the South African Navy was attempting to conceal a training exercise which went wrong with the cannon gun fire narrowly missing homes.
The publication reported that the incident took place on Friday and the gun was fired from a corvette at the navy dockyard. High ranking officials sources within the area had reportedly confirmed the ‘freak-accident’.
Sources also told the publication that the navy was allegedly trying to hide the mishap and had not called in any emergency services to the scene to ensure all was well.
The navy did not respond to the publication by time of print.
However, the SANDF has hit back stating that the report published on Saturday was unsubstantiated and baseless, and dismissed it ‘with the contempt it deserves’.
The SANDF also assured residents in the area that they were safe.
“It is outright disingenuous and irresponsible to report on unverified information that has a potential to cause panic amongst the citizens of the country.
“The SANDF wishes to assure the citizens of the country especially those in the Simon's Town (area) that they are and remain safe at all times and should guard against such speculative reports aimed at causing unnecessary panic,” it said.
However, Weekend Argus Editor, Melanie Peters said the publication stands by its story.
“The Weekend Argus stands by its story after our reporter verified concerns raised by Simon’s Town residents with other sources. Weekend Argus also gave the navy an opportunity to comment,” Peters said.
robin.francke@inl.co.za
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