Transnet has reacted in the strongest possible terms after a visit by FTW to the Bayhead area at the Port of Durban went ahead with few if any security checks. Access to landside areas immediately adjoining the port’s eastern side went ahead with almost no access control stoppages, revealing ostensible breaches in areas that should ideally be off limits to people and parties that have no real business in such sections of the harbour’s operations. But during a meeting with senior officials from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), acting port manager Nokuzola Nkowane said security was one of the areas they were focusing on at the moment. “And it’s not just a localised issue but in terms of international compliance the last thing we want is for international shipping
lines to think that safety and security around the port is not what it should be.” Reacting to remarks that access was obtained to some areas by a guide who happened to know the Bayhead area and managed to pass security points largely unimpeded, Nkowane stressed that the freight and rail parastatal and its separate divisions “remain committed to tightening up on safety and security because it’s a nonnegotiable aspect of our operations. “We simply have to make sure that all checks are done properly to ensure that not just the safety of people but the security of goods is guaranteed.” As proof of the parastatal’s seriousness about security, Nkowane emphasised that a massive truck back-up encountered on Bayhead Road into Pier 1 on Tuesday had been exactly because of proper access control.
Being thorough, she said, often entailed causing delays resulting in congestion. “Nevertheless, we take it very seriously when our security is shown not to be what it should be. We will have to go back and make sure that we close up those gaps we might have missed.” To be fair to TNPA, security at its Ocean Terminal Building on the city-side of the port seemed to be beyond reproach,
with staff and visitors even being breathalysed against possible alcohol abuse on site. The area that was visited and shown to be possibly suffering from security breaches essentially falls under Transnet Port Terminals. But Nkowane made no excuses. “We’re all part of a bigger organisation and need to work together to ensure a more efficient port system.
CAPTION: We take it very seriously when our security is shown not to be what it should be. – Nokuzola Nkowane
