‘Hands off’ KwaZulu-Natal economic zone boss, says African Christian Democratic Party

KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, Siboniso Duma, and the ANC in the province have denied claims by the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and business that plans are in motion to axe Dube TradePort chief executive Hamish Erskine.

Instead, Duma praised Erskine “as a professional who is leading a dedicated workforce” and whose career is “being destroyed” by “lies, fabrication and cheap gossip”. 

This comes after ACDP eThekwini caucus leader Jameel Essop criticised Duma and the provincial leadership in a scathing statement in which he raised concern about cadre deployment and alleged that the MEC plans to remove Erskine.

Erskine is one the four initial employees of the state-owned entity located in the fast-growing special economic zone, which has offered investors preferential tax deals since its planning stages in 2003.

Dube TradePort markets itself as “a commercial and light industrial precinct offering globally integrated logistics and manufacturing infrastructure and support for a range of airport-related activities, including cargo operations, warehousing, agricultural growing, processing and cold storage, as well as commercial real estate for office, retail and hospitality”.

International and local firms such as Pepsico, Samsung SA, Air Chefs, HBM SA Health, DB Schenker, Tufbag and Rossi SA have invested in manufacturing plants and warehouses in the special economic zone, as have many small, medium and micro businesses.

Essop said the province had suffered much disaster in recent years, including sudden storms and flooding as well as violent protests and mass looting in July 2021.

“These had impacted all sectors in society including households and business. The African Christian Democratic Party in eThekwini believes the cadre deployment policy of the ruling party has resulted in poor service delivery, collapsed infrastructure, decline in tourism and investment,” Essop said.

He warned the province could face further problems if Duma pursued the alleged plan to remove Erskine, who he said had “focused on ensuring transformation is progressive in Dube TradePort”.

“His leadership has resulted in various awards. Furthermore, his leadership qualities have attracted many investors ensuring the economy is growing resulting in job creation,” Essop said.

He added that skilled artisans, business leaders and investors were leaving the region because of “the ruling party’s cadre deployment policy” that was harming the economy.

“The outcome of cadre deployment is poor service delivery, shoddy workmanship, collapsing infrastructure, increased corruption, etc. Competency and integrity is lacking tremendously,” Essop said.

“The ACDP eThekwini stands united with the leadership, competency and vision of Hamish Erskine. Critical positions should not be for family and friends but for those most qualified to achieve the desired goal to better our province and city.

“Hands off Mr Hamish Erskine.” 

Essop declined to elaborate on who he believed was in line to replace Erskine. 

Duma’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, dismissed the claims.

“We have noted media inquiries that are based on nothing else but lies, fabrication and cheap gossip lifted from the statement issued by the African Christian Democratic Party about the CEO of Dube TradePort,” Sibiya said.

“We are left with a distinct impression that the ACDP is attempting to hog media headlines. Unfortunately, the excellent career of Dube TradePort CEO Hamish Erskine is being destroyed.

“Erskine is a professional who is leading a dedicated workforce. Collectively, they have done exceedingly well in terms of attracting investments into this special economic zone. We remain satisfied with the oversight role played by the board over the entity,” Sibiya added.

But several local business people, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Erskine was being retained on a six-month contract. 

Erskine’s five-year contract expired in August 2023 and the short-term contract ends in February. 

Sibiya declined to confirm the status of the contract, referring the Mail & Guardian to his original statement on the issue.

KZN Growth Coalition coordinator Andrzej Kiepiela said the grouping was aware that the board was in the process of considering Erskine’s contract and that a decision is “imminent”.

“We await the outcome of that decision and we respect the independence of the board and its sense of judgment in the past and we hope they make the right decision again,” he said.

“We have always had a high regard for Hamish, his work and his team, and the projects and investments that he has secured speak for themselves.”

One businessperson said it was important to extend Erskine’s contract by another five years.

“We need the president’s intervention to ensure that this happens. Hamish is a seasonal professional who is very experienced and plays a key role in investment in the province,” they said.

“In addition to this he is working with the business community on the auto supply park and tourism route development. We need assistance to ensure that Hamish retains his job.”

Another business person said people were concerned that political plans were afoot to remove Erskine because he is a white male. The source added that although transformation is important, the removal of Erskine would be “a disaster” because he holds the institutional knowledge and experience.

The business person said Erskine had been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment to the special economic zone and to developing key routes such as the Durban/Heathrow direct flight launched a few years ago. 

“Where we are from an economic point of view is we are not in a position to be chopping and changing. Yes, transformation is important but can we for now leave the experienced people to do what they know and keep on track?” the business person said.

“We have people who are really experienced who are working hard to bring investment to the province. We need jobs now and the person who can create those jobs is Hamish because he has the experience. Someone who was able to work to build a dream into reality is now being victimised,” the business person added.

Erskine could not be reached for comment this week, and the Dube TradePort board had not responded to questions by the time of publication.