THE Robben Island Museum (RIM) Council is keeping tight-lipped this week after media reports that three members of management were suspended as a result of a R25m deficit in the World Heritage Site’s accounts.
The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that statements had been made following a forensic audit that top management officials had been treating the island as “a private ATM”.
The RIM Council announced the suspension of three of its top management members last week, after the results of a forensic report on key operations of the museum came to light. The council suspended chief executive officer Paul Langa, chief operating officer Denmark Tungwana and chief finance officer Nash Masekwameng.
No further information regarding the suspensions was offered this week except a repeat that the decision to suspend the executives was “a difficult one”.
“The report left the RIM Council with no option but to suspend the three and to institute internal disciplinary proceedings against them,” said a statement released yesterday by the council.
The council furthered that the results of the forensic audit were confidential and would not be released to the public. It also stated that it would be releasing no further comment as the results of the audit form the basis of internal disciplinary hearings against the three executives.
Meanwhile, Seelan Naidoo has been appointed as interim ceo to oversee the restructuring of the institution.
