The Robben Island Museum has hit back at the Ex-Robben Island Prisoners Association following accusations of maladministration and nepotism. The association made the claims during a media briefing in Cape Town earlier this week.
Museum Chairperson, Sibusiso Buthelezi, says the ex-prisoners’ complaints are a smokescreen driven by commercial interest.
He says the claims are an attempt to pressure the board into an agreement to procure a craft to transport visitors to the Island.
“I’m saying this publicly as a record that at the heart of this is a commercial interest, Mr Masemola wants to bring Madiba 2, which is the second boat but because they cannot get their way without going through the processes, they want to bully us into this, we have a duty to protect the integrity of this organisation,” says Buthelezi.
The Ex-Robben Island Political Prisoners Association earlier is threatened to occupy prison cells on the Island while embarking on a hunger strike, if Island management ignores their plight.
They allege that their welfare as former political prisoners has been disregarded and that they are not drawing economic benefit from the world heritage site. Secretary Mpho Masemola said the institution is falling into disrepair under the current management. They have called for the resignation of the CEO of the Robben Island Museum, Mava Dada.
