Port gives assurances in wake of security guard strike

‘CT container terminal is totally secure’ RAY SMUTS CALL out the troops! That is the mindset of Sanjay Govan, National Ports Authority manager for the port of Cape Town, as the protracted security guard strike continues to rear its ugly head after more than two months of mayhem and no immediate resolution in sight. Govan, exasperated at the state of security affairs in the Mother City port which is presently only 50% staffed, 10% representing permanent personnel, tells FTW normal practice calls for around 120 security guards to be on duty per shift. While not that many of the striking guards support the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, even those non-aligned to the union are in some instances staying away from work in fear of intimidation. “The port is a national key point and the police are supposed to help us. We understand that their resources are also stretched but we cannot continue like this any longer and will have to look at alternative security measures such as calling in the military.” Responding to a media report that a photographer managed to pass undetected through five open and unmanned security gates, Govan says: “At the moment we have no control at our access gates because there are not enough security guards and those on duty are being targeted.” Normal practice calls for vehicles entering the port to display window discs, including the registration number, while the driver needs to produce an identification disc containing his/her name, identification number, place of work and specifically which areas of the port may be accessed. While guards were clearly not stationed at those areas mentioned in the media report, Govan remains adamant: “The perception is that the port is a free for all but you cannot drive into any terminal as you wish.” Container terminal He adds that the container terminal, prime provider of port revenue, is totally secure. Port security worldwide has been tightened since the September 11 attacks. The International Maritime Organisation’s International Ship Port and Security Code with which the NPA became compliant in June 2004, includes measures such as retraining security personnel and re-fencing port boundaries to prepare ports and ships for the possibility of crimes and terrorist attacks. Having said that, the port reports that no vessels from Cape Town have been denied access to other ports, nor have there been revelations of major crimes or violent incidents at the Mother City port since the beginning of the strike. It is clear from media reports that many security guards are prepared to sit it out for as long as it takes to secure an 11% pay hike as demanded by the union, certainly not the 8% offer currently on the table.