Robben Island ferries endangering lives
The DA has been informed by residents on Robben Island that due to the continual breakdown of the island's emergency ferry, lives of both the residents, and tourists, are being endangered.
The ferries are operated by the Robben Island Museum, a National Department of Arts and Culture entity.
The DA met with residents of the island last week and we were informed that:
- Last weekend a woman on the island reportedly went into labour and was forced to deliver her baby with little to no medical supervision due to the unavailability of a working or an emergency ferry on the island. A police rescue vehicle had to be called in to collect and transport her to the mainland.
- In April this year another woman on the island went into labour and is said to have been forced to endure the same life-threatening circumstances.
- A man reportedly suffered from a heart attack while on the island in April and subsequently died due to the lack of emergency transport facilities.
The DA will request that the National Department of Arts and Culture-appointed Robben Island Museum's management be summoned to Parliament to account for these incidents and provide details on how the safety of the inhabitants and visitors to the island will be improved.
It has also been revealed to Parliament that millions of rands have been lost as a result of the continual breakdown of ferries used to transport tourists to and from Robben Island:
- R1.9 million and R3.2 million was spent repairing the Sikhululekile ferry during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 financial years respectively;
- R858 573 and R775 726 was spent repairing the Dias ferry during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 financial years respectively; and
- R259 7344 was spent on private boat suppliers to ferry visitors to and from Robben Island while Sikhululekile and the Dias were inoperative.
Sikhululekile was initially purchased by Robben Island's management for R26 million in 2008, despite warnings that it was not suited for inclement weather conditions. By November 2010 it had broken down seven times.
Robben Island is an important part of South Africa's history, and should not be sunk by mismanagement. The reputation of the island as a World Heritage Site must be upheld and the safety of its inhabitants and visitors guaranteed.
Statement issued by Niekie van den Berg, DA Shadow Minister of Arts and Culture, August 5 2013
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