Komphela's ferry nice business

Butana Komphela is back in business - the ferry business.

The former firebrand MP and now Free State MEC for health is chairman of Meltt, a business consortium contracted to ferry tourists to and from Robben Island.

The consortium has bought a R60-million vessel, the Madiba1, which became one of the island's contracted backup ferries this month.

Komphela has a chequered history in the ferry business. A previous bid to provide a backup ferry service through another consortium ended in a commercial dispute and the boat being stranded in a Cape Town boat yard.

His return coincides with an investigation into allegations of collusive practices and price-fixing by "rival" service providers.

There is concern that Komphela will use his political influence to secure a disproportionate share of the backup ferry business, which is currently divided equally between several players.

But Komphela's business partner, Johan van Heerden, insists that Meltt has no ambition to muscle out competitors. He said its aim was to secure a good return on investment for Meltt's shareholders, who had made a substantial investment.

The Madiba 1, built for use in the offshore oil and gas industry, has a crew of 13 and can withstand 70-knot headwinds. It has bullet-proof windows.

Van Heerden is himself a controversial figure, linked to two previous unsuccessful ferry ventures. In addition to the venture with Komphela, involving a luxury catamaran, he was involved with another vessel that was attached by the government for unpaid import tariffs.

He said the Madiba1 would be a huge asset to the island, which has struggled with ferry maintenance and ticket backlogs during tourist season.

Robben Island Museum spokesman Bongiwe Nzeku said the backup ferry service was a "crucial component for [the museum] in providing an effective and efficient service to its clients".

"The museum has been steadily increasing the number of visitors to the island to ensure its sustainability."

Komphela could not be reached for comment.