Former political prisoners call for release of Robben Island graft reports
THE ex-Political Prisoners’ Association) has called for the release into the public domain of the Morar forensic investigation report into corruption and maladministration in the management of the historic Robben Island Museum.
The report, which was a result of allegations made by the association in 2018, was commissioned before the more recent McRoberts report, and presented to the Robben Island Museum council in January 2020. It was never made public.
The two reports allegedly implicate two senior officials who were supposed to undergo disciplinary processes. The two charges have been dropped and the disciplinary charges discontinued.
The association’s secretary, Mpho Masemola, said: “We want the Morar report and its recommendations implemented. Robben Island Museum seems to have deleted the Morar report, which was commissioned with taxpayers’ money.”
The association’s demands came as DA provincial cultural affairs and sport spokesperson Reagen Allen said he would be submitting a Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) application to obtain both investigative reports.
“This follows the refusal of the Robben Island Museum management and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthetwas to make these reports public, despite our continued calls and the fact that no disciplinary action has been taken against implicated individuals.
“The Paia application provides us with an avenue for transparency. We want the public to fully understand the extent of the allegations levelled at the senior officials of the museum, since this is a public institution that residents fund.”
Robben Island Museum council chairperson Khensani Maluleke meanwhile insisted that the museum council remains committed to transparency with regard to the investigation into mismanagement, and the subsequent action taken.
“It was always our intention to make the report public upon conclusion of all processes. We do, however, have to take into account the legislative prescripts of the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), which came into effect on July 1, 2021.
“The report is being verified for Popia compliance, and we are also engaging the shareholder (Mthethwa) to keep him abreast of the latest developments. Once we are satisfied that the report does not infringe on any party’s rights, the content will be made public.”
“It was always our intention to make the report public upon conclusion of all processes
KHENSANI MALULEKE
Robin Island Museum council chairperson