Museum strikers demand Morar report

STRIKING workers of the Robben Island Museum (RIM) have said they will not return to work until Arts, Sports and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa releases the Morar forensic investigation report into corruption and maladministration in the management of the historic site.

National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union provincial secretary Eric Kweleta said: “We also want an explanation in relation to the ferry that was procured in Singapore last year. There have been allegations that there was tampering with the supply management imperative and we want to find out what really happened. We also want to know how the museum’s funds are being utilised.” By the time of publication, neither the minister nor the department had responded to queries.

However, in December last year the department put out a statement that said: “The department wishes to place on record that it has no intentions to abandon the findings and recommendations of the Morar forensic investigation report.

“Noteworthy is that none of the new council members appointed on July 1, 2019, is implicated in the report. As such, the department has requested the council and other relevant persons to pursue all the matters contained in the aforesaid report to their final conclusion.”

Meanwhile, more than 200 workers, including tour guides, boat crews, marketing and ticket salespeople, have downed tools.

When asked whether the pickets had disrupted visits to the island, one of the protesting staff members said: “Tours are going ahead. We agreed not to disrupt tours yet. We only have permission to picket. For now.”

RIM has assured visitors to the island that there will be no disruptions. RIM spokesperson Morongoa Ramboa said: “RIM acknowledges and respects employees constitutional right to participate in a demonstration. With that being said, RIM has taken the necessary precautionary measures to ensure that the demonstration does not have an impact on operations.”

These preparations include enlisting the help of the SAPS, the V&A Waterfront and RIM’s security staff.