Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana should release the forensic report into the financial mismanagement of the Robben Island Museum (RIM) so that proper action to repair the tarnished image of the island can be taken.

It is unacceptable that this forensic report, which led to the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the RIM in 2009 has not been released for almost a year while mismanagement remains rife on Robben Island. In order to progress on the best course of action to solve the island's problems we need the Minister to be open and reveal the root of the problems. Further delay and mismanagement could cost Robben Island its world heritage status.

A DA parliamentary question posed to the Minister last year stated that a new Board would be appointed by the end of July 2009 but nothing has been done since and it is time the minister stopped stalling and took action. As Robben Island enters its ninth month without a council or permanent chief executive it's plain to see that the island is suffering severely without any leadership or direction. Acting Chief Executive Henry Bredekamp's contract ends on 31 March but still no action or plans have been revealed on who will take over management of RIM. According to the Cape Times this week one of the replacement ferries ran aground with no-one informing Bredekamp. This incident reinforces the need for the release of the forensic report and follows on from a long line of problems which includes the continuous breakdown of the main ferry, the Sikhululekile during the peak tourist season. Mismanagement at RIM will continue unless real measures are taken and qualified managers are appointed.

I will be posing parliamentary questions asking the Minister when Robben Island's forensic report will be released as there is no legal reason for her to withhold it any longer, and when she will appoint a council and chief executive. Questions will also be posed to ascertain the costs of repairing the Sikhululekile, how often the ferry is subject to maintenance tests, and how much revenue was lost while the main ferry was grounded.

Robben Island is one of South Africa's most important cultural institutions. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is an extremely popular destination for tourists. We cannot afford to put the island's future in jeopardy any longer.