The Robben Island Museum (RIM) has assured tourists that the world-renowned Cape Town attraction is fit for purpose, explaining that photographs of infrastructure damage currently circulating on social media were taken four years ago.

In a strongly-worded statement, RIM said the “narrative perpetuated by certain stakeholders, that Robben Island Museum is in a state of disrepair is completely devoid of truth and would appear to have malicious intent”.

The museum asserts that photographs showing certain buildings with collapsed roofs were taken four years ago during site inspections with a contractor. In response, RIM has distributed photos of the actual state of infrastructure at the admin block, village and prison, which were recently upgraded.

“We wish to categorically deny any allegations of infrastructure collapse and assure the public that the island is fit and has been welcoming visitors to its shores, with the highest visitor numbers experienced during the December peak season, post COVID-19,” said Abigail Thulare, RIM CEO. 

The upkeep and maintenance of the museum as a World Heritage Site and Marine Protected Area, is jointly managed by RIM, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. 

RIM said that after the revenue losses inflicted by COVID, focus was being placed on core infrastructure in the spaces visited during tours. However, the museum admitted that some areas not accessible to the public were in dire need of maintenance, which will be prioritised according to budget.

In April 2022, RIM hinted that it had been the subject of targeted misinformation, following false claims that prison artefacts had been stolen from the island. The museum also reported that employed staff from other African countries had been subject to hateful and xenophobic comments.

“It is unfortunate that not all stakeholders are necessarily allies, and will seek to undermine the work that so many dedicated and committed employees are doing,” said Thulare.