A group of navy dockyard workers has petitioned the chief of the South African Navy to address a skills crisis within the facility at the heart of maritime security.
The workers belonging to trade union United Association of South Africa (Uasa) warned Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese of dire consequences without swift action to rejuvenate the dockyard, which is managed by Armscor.
“The incompetence at the dockyard is not only affecting the welfare and working conditions of Armscor staff but is also undermining the navy’s operational capabilities and, consequently, our nation’s maritime security,” says the letter, authored by Uasa divisional manager Ryan Dalton and sent on November 5.
The warning coincides with similar ones by senior politicians and Lobese, who earlier this year called for a “divorce” from Armscor due to years of operational challenges.
Defence minister Angie Motshekga joined several senior defence personnel on a navy oversight visit on Friday, also attended by member’s of the National Council of Provinces select committee on defence and justice.
Key concerns and allegations raised by the Uasa dockyard staff included:
- Nepotism and favouritism in hiring, such as key positions “filled by individuals lacking the necessary marine experience”
- Lack of compliance with Armscor’s own procedural documents
- Unlawful changes to workers’ conditions of employment
- Closure of essential training centres, resulting in an absence of necessary skills development
- The loss of highly skilled workers “affecting trades critical to the navy’s needs”
- Mistreatment of employees
- Funds mismanagement and double deductions of trade union fees
Many of the issues raised echoed Lobese’s concerns, which he aired at a medal parade address in Simon’s Town in February.
Dalton said in the letter that Lobese and the union should collaborate to resolve the dockyard crisis: “We urgently request a meeting with you to discuss how we can collaborate to address these grave concerns and ensure that our collective efforts lead to meaningful and constructive outcomes. Your leadership and commitment to resolving these issues have not gone unnoticed, and we stand ready to support any initiative aimed at restoring the dockyard's functionality and the navy’s operational effectiveness.”
Armscor dismissed many of the concerns while acknowledging some operational shortcomings. Spokesperson Liziwe Nkonyana told TimesLIVE Premium recruitment was based on an approved and objective process. There had also been no unilateral changes to staff conditions of employment, “which were not communicated”, Nkonyana said. “Employees are consulted whenever there is a need for changes.”
She confirmed the training centre building was temporarily out of service. “However, training is executed through work-integrated learning. Dockyard is also in partnerships with centres of specialisation facilities and provides mentorship and training to apprentices. The South African Navy also brings artisans for training at the dockyard as part of fulfilling their requirements for trade test. The facility also await 25 military veterans’ beneficiaries who are part of Armscor military veterans’ development programme for artisans,” Nkonyana said, adding a plan was in place to deal with issues of scarce skills.
Nehawu, which represents most dockyard workers, has criticised Lobese’s call for a navy “divorce” from Armscor. “As Nehawu, we wish to take this opportunity to provide free education and advice to the chief of navy that institutions regarded as national assets are not run on the basis of individual feelings rather of the collective efforts, ability and capacity to make them work efficiently and effectively,” Nehawu said in September.
“As he is waiting for advice from the senior management of SANDF and the minister on the way forward, we call upon him to really put efforts to ensure proper functioning of the navy (rather) than folding his arms and loudly complaining about his inability to fix the challenges facing navy as he is not paid for such.”
In its latest annual report the defence department conceded it was battling to cope with severe budget cuts. The air force, which has been in decline for 12 years, recorded a total of 6,904 flying hours in the last financial year, little more than half its 12,000 annual target, while navy vessels managed only 2,641 sea hours, missing their 8,000-hour target.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.