/ 21 September 2001

Lesotho steps into Robben Island fray

Marianne Merten

The Lesotho high commission is intervening to protect one of its citizens on Robben Island after two staffers found guilty of sexually harassing her were not dismissed.

An internal disciplinary hearing verdict yet to be ratified by Robben Island management was “suspended dismissal” for the driver and guide on condition they are not found guilty of a similar offence within 12 months. The main perpetrator was given a month-long suspension without pay.

“I don’t feel happy and I don’t think they have been fair. I have been through trauma, been humiliated and nothing is being done,” said Phumla Dlamini*, a postgraduate student from Lesotho who was informed of the verdict last week.

Efforts by the Lesotho high commission to obtain records of proceedings have been in vain as telephone messages at the island remained unanswered.

Deputy high commissioner Pitso Makosholo confirmed his continuing intervention: “It’s our responsibility to make sure that her safety is ensured on the island and to press upon authorities there to ensure her safety is not compromised.”

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) discrimination and harassment office says it would also “pursue the matter and discuss it at the highest level” once all relevant information is obtained.

Dlamini had to complete an internship on the island as part of the museum and heritage studies diploma jointly offered by Robben Island’s training programme, UCT and the University of the Western Cape.

Controversies that have hit the World Heritage Site since the Department of Correctional Services relinquished control of the island and its notorious apartheid-era political prison in 1997 include the rape of Nomboniso Gasa, wife of African National Congress MP Raymond Suttner.

No one was arrested for her rape in the island guesthouse in January 1997. The Independent Complaints Directorate, a statutory police watchdog, found the police investigations into the rape “lacking”.

Last year a Robben Island security guard accused of rape committed suicide; another man, who worked for the ferry service, was suspended after being charged with attempted rape.

In July 2000 two senior officials, who had crashed an island car while driving drunk, received written warnings following a disciplinary hearing costing R200000, the Cape Times reported.

Dlamini said her ordeal started in May when she and fellow students visited the island. “He [the driver] proposed love to me, but I rejected him.”

One evening when she was telephoning her family after supper the driver stopped his vehicle to pick her up, but took her to his house. After an argument, he brought her to her own accommodation.

On June 1 Dlamini was allocated her own house for the duration of the internship. One evening, at about midnight, the driver came to her house and shouted and hammered on the windows. He also repeatedly called her on her cellphone while she hid in the dark in the house.

Dlamini said she was scared and asked a fellow Sotho-speaker on the island, a guide, to tell the driver to stop. But several evenings later the guide arrived at her house. In another incident the guide grabbed her while she was discussing work with a researcher.

Dlamini said she moved off the island, obtained a protection order and laid a criminal charge. Police confirmed an assault docket was opened on June 18, but added the charges were later withdrawn.

Robben Island human resource manager Ncgane Madikizela-Renene said the matter was “still pending, no decision has been taken”. She added the “only person allowed to speak” on the matter was Debra Barnes, the marketing and communication manager.

After various attempts to obtain comment and confirmation of the recommended penalty from Robben Island management, the Mail & Guardian was told by the director’s secretary that Barnes would call. However, she did not respond by the time of going to print despite further messages left on her cellphone and at her office.

*Not her real name