Robben Island Museum (RIM) has announced new executive leadership, including a new CEO, following the release of the full report of an investigation into mismanagement.

“We are extremely delighted with the appointment of our new CEO, Abigail Thulare, who was formerly the Chief Operating Officer at National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications. She is a highly accomplished strategist and visionary, and we have no doubt that she will lead RIM into the next era of excellence,” said RIM Council Chairperson, Khensani Maluleke. 

The full report by MacRobert Attorneys deals with all 22 allegations and is now available to interested parties and stakeholders for scrutiny via the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

During the course of 2020, the Council for RIM resolved that certain allegations of mismanagement at RIM (made by the Ex-Political Prisoners’ Association) should be investigated.  

Following an investigation and a written report of legal advice furnished to the Council, as well as evidence produced by implicated officials that cleared them of wrongdoing, the Council took the decision in June 2021 to discontinue the disciplinary process and issue the employees with notices in terms of which they were advised of the withdrawal of the charges.    

“We have put this matter behind us. We remain committed to stakeholder relations and welcome any form of whistle blowing, substantiated with evidence to support the allegations. Going forward, we are focused on building a strong executive team that will lead RIM through and beyond the challenges of resuscitating and returning our core business to a sounder footing, including growing domestic tourism.

“Our energy is channelled into business development and ensuring a superb visitor experience to thousands of local and international tourists in the coming months,” said Maluleke.