Mystery continues to surround the status of South Africa’s chief harbour master following a suspension of several years and rumours of his subsequent return to work last week.
Captain Rufus Lekala made history in 2011 not only as the first black harbour master in South Africa, but also the youngest in the world to hold such a position. He was responsible for overseeing operations at all eight of South Africa’s ports – Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Cape Town and Saldanha Bay. But questions about his whereabouts surfaced in March 2017 when it became clear he was no longer at work.
At the time, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) then chief executive, Richard Vallihu, issued a short statement confirming that Lekala had been placed on precautionary suspension due to alleged irregularities. This, said Vallihu, was to enable the internal investigation process to reach a fair conclusion. It remained unclear exactly what alleged irregularities had taken place and Lekala remained on suspension. It has now emerged that Lekala had in fact been placed on suspension possibly as far back as 2016 and had spent the better part of two years at home.
It is believed that he returned to his position as chief harbour master on October 8. At the time of going to press TNPA had failed to confirm whether this was true. They had also not responded to a request from FTW to provide insight into the reasons for Lekala’s suspension and the subsequent outcome of the investigation. Last week, however, former TNPA CEO Tau Morwe, who retired in 2015, tweeted that Lekala was finally back at work.
“Finally, the chief harbour master of Transnet National Ports Authority is returning to work tomorrow – Monday October 8th. This after spending two years at home. For what? For having been part of a team that took a decision to give historically disadvantaged individuals a chance to train as helicopter engineers and pilots. The team was not made to stay at home for two years, he was,” read the tweet.
Several industry stakeholders contacted by FTW said Lekala’s suspension remained a mystery with most saying they did not know he was back at work.
Captain Rufus Lekala... the youngest harbour master in the world.
