Robben Island Museum's CFO is under investigation over a whistle-blower's report claiming he misrepresented his qualifications when applying for the job at the World Heritage Site.
CFO Karabo Ramela received a notification of intended suspension this week. The whistle-blower's report, seen by TimesLIVE Premium, was sent to the department of arts, sport and culture (DSAC) and raises concerns about the island's ability to host a landmark G20 event later this year due to infrastructure challenges.
“Kindly be advised that Robben Island Museum (RIM) is investigating the allegations made via a tip-off against one of its officials. You will appreciate that RIM is unable to comment until the veracity of the allegations is established,” council chairperson Saths Cooper said this week in a written response to queries.
The probe comes weeks after CEO Abigail Thulare was redeployed amid an investigation into her managerial conduct. Her exit followed intervention from arts, culture and sport minister Gayton McKenzie, who met the council in January.
The report alleges Ramela made incorrect representations about his qualification when applying for the CFO post. He joined RIM in 2022. This included an allegedly false claim that he was accredited with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) — a requirement for the position.
“The regulatory environment does not allow one to commit such a misrepresentation. Mr Ramela's misconduct poses a great reputational risk for RIM, particularly, if it could find its way to the media,” it read.
Saica has independently confirmed Ramela was not registered at the time he was appointed, having been deregistered a few years previously. The reason for his deregistration remained confidential, Saica told TimesLIVE Premium. Saica also confirmed receipt of a RIM enquiry this week into Ramela's status.
Whichever way one looks at a case like this, it is critical that RIM satisfies itself that the handling of Mr Ramela's appointment was above board and manifested the required due diligence
— Whistle-blower's report
The report also questioned whether the CFO had an undisclosed past related to a background check report that flagged an issue when he was appointed.
“Whichever way one looks at a case like this, it is critical that RIM satisfies itself that the handling of Mr Ramela's appointment was above board and manifested the required due diligence,” read the report.
RIM sources this week claimed internal division was hampering infrastructure development, including funded projects. “Most of the projects are geared towards hosting of the G20 event late this year,” said one person who is not authorised to speak to the media. “The CFO is cited as the main reason behind low expenditure on the project implementation. [The department of sports, arts and culture] has threatened to withdraw its funding, as a result. This in part led to the forced resignation of the executive for infrastructure management.”
Insiders said the report was symptomatic of an ongoing turf war over the island's resources, notably potential ferry contracts. The underperforming ferry service relies partly on private contractors. One suggested the CFO was being targeted because of his efforts to ensure due diligence, while another claimed he was part of the problem.
The Ex-Political Prisoner Association has called on the department to intervene with an independent investigation. “The minister [Gayton McKenzie] must tap in and conduct a forensic investigation,” said EPPA secretary-general Mpho Masemola. “RIM has not responded to our concerns and therefore we are calling for an investigation. We are saying there is a lack of governance and a collapse of the management system.”
Responding to queries last week, Ramela said he was suitably qualified for his post. He said the allegations against him coincided with him giving evidence against a RIM staff member in a disciplinary “flowing from a legacy of mismanagement at RIM”.
“The key issue with Saica is the unauthorised use of the Chartered Accountant (SA) designation. I confirm that at the time I was being interviewed for the role of CFO I was in the process of reinstating my entitlement to use the designation,” Ramela told TimesLIVE Premium. “Let’s allow for the investigation to unfold notwithstanding the timing of your enquiry coinciding with the disciplinary.”
Multiple investigations over the years have raised concerns about wasteful or irregular expenditure. There were hopes Thulare, appointed in 2021, would unite staff behind a common purpose of improving the island's performance. However, despite increasing visitor numbers, Thulare became embroiled in internal conflict, culminating in her redeployment last month to the National Film and Video Foundation.
Thulare insisted she did nothing more than try to enforce a turnaround strategy after years of underperformance under previous management.
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