Robben Island Museum management has denied allegations that there have been "unprecedented levels of theft" on the island in the past 13 months, and has also denied claims that security personnel who were fired for apparently being involved in some thefts may be reinstated if the island's executives have their way.
A former political prisoner, who now works for the museum, told the Cape Times that "computers, DVDs, TVs, fridges, mini-stoves, bed linen, video cameras... Robben Island merchandise and some other stuff" had been stolen from the island over the past year.
But the Robben Island Museum Council's acting chairperson, Seelan Naidoo, says the island does "not have a problem with crime" apart from "a small number of petty thefts".
Naidoo also denied that the company that is now responsible for security on the island was told to rehire staff who had been fired.
The ex-political prisoner, who asked to remain anonymous, said the island should be forced to explain "why they recommended that the security personnel who have mainly been fingered for this unprecedented theft should be rehired by (the new security company)".
Naidoo said the contract of the current security providers, SIDAS, had "run its course" and Group4Securicor had been appointed to do the job "after a tender process".
"Group4 has not been told to rehire any staff. We asked them to consider taking on some of the SIDAS staff who may end up out of work, and they pointed out that it would be best if they brought in new people."
"In general, we do not have a problem with crime on the island (apart from a small number of petty thefts). Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement and we plan to upgrade our security systems on the island," Naidoo said.
He said that in November last year "some crockery and minor appliances" were stolen from an unlocked cupboard in the island's mess storeroom.
In a separate incident, Naidoo said, a former island resident alleged that some items had been stolen from the house he occupied.
"However, there were no signs of a break-in."
Three incidents of poaching at the island had also been reported during his tenure, Naidoo said.
Meanwhile, at least two of the three senior Robben Island Museum Council executives suspended last year for allegedly mismanaging funds may know their fate by the middle of next month.
The council is due to meet in mid-February, said Naidoo, and it is hoped that the outcome of disciplinary hearings involving chief executive Paul Langa and Lesetja Nash Masekwameng can be tabled then.
Langa, Masekwameng and chief operations officer Denmark Tungwana were suspended on July 25.
Council chairperson Naledi Tsiki said after the three had been suspended that they faced charges related to "gross negligence and mismanagement".
On Wednesday, Naidoo said none of the disciplinary hearings had been finalised yet. Finalisation entailed the tabling of the hearings' outcomes at a council meeting and "some kind of formal decision in response".
"Our next council meeting is planned for mid-February and we hope that, at least, the Paul Langa and Nash Masekwameng matters will have reached the point at which they can be tabled and decided upon," Naidoo said.
No other Robben Island Museum staff had been implicated during the hearings.
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