CT port security manager resigns

Lion's share of budget goes to Durban and Richards Bay, writes Ray Smuts THE PORT of Cape Town's security woes continue unabated with security manager Mike Hala resigning less than a year into a position he filled after his predecessor committed suicide. uMkhonto weSizwe-trained Hala, at one time also a personal bodyguard to former president Nelson Mandela, was apparently unhappy in his working milieu and has returned to his home in the former Transkei. The exasperation of port manager Sanjay Govan is clearly evident as he tells me: "I'm pushing (for a replacement), I can't wait, I can't carry on like this." The Cape Town security manager's post is now being advertised nationally. Asserts Govan: "Believe it or not, none of the ports actually have security managers. We just can't seem to hold them down." The National Port Authority's business strategy department has been interviewing clients in Cape Town in order to identify security problems and it is evident there is a degree of unhappiness. Some of the problems are discourteous security personnel and inconsistency in their work routine, uneasiness of visiting seamen within the port, vagrancy, theft, and stowaways. (32 since January.) Cape Town's three out of house security contracts have expired - they collectively cost R4 million a year - and it is evident from the way Govan talks that much greater circumspection will apply when new tenderers are considered. Of the R7 million requested for perimeter fencing this year only R1,5 million has been allocated, the remainder to be forthcoming next year, but Govan believes it will clearly cost more, possibly R9 million. "What we will do immediately is fence the entire Sturrock Drydock and the business units and we expect that all perimeter fencing will be in place by the end of next year. The camera surveillance system should be operational by mid-2002" Govan says the bulk of the R70-odd million identified for general security within the ports over two years will be allocated to Durban and Richards Bay, Cape Town only receiving about R8 million. The National Port Authority of South Africa and South African Port Operations are still identifying on a national scale the security obligations of each. Govan confirms Cape Town had at one stage been earmarked for a customs scanner but the unit supplied to Durban was so costly (and plagued by problems) it was decided to hold fire on a second acquisition. With wharfage being volume rather than value-based from next April, it is clear if Customs wishes to employ a scanner in Cape Town it will not be able to look to NPA to foot the bill.