DA tackles City Manager over Stables ‘secrecy’

THE Democratic Alliance in eThekwini Municipality strongly condemns the Durban City Manager’s ongoing refusal to answer questions regarding the removal of the New Market Stables in Durban.

The call follows city officials' refusal to answer DA questions regarding the lease of the land to build a multi-million rand sports academy.

In the meantime, the DA is investigating whether the City Manager has followed the Council Resolution of October 2014 that instructed him to approach the Bid Adjudication Committee.

Martin Meyer, Deputy eThekwini caucus leader, said he would also look into whether the city was guided by the correct procedures in deciding to lease out the property to Hoy Park Management.

Meyer plans to resubmit questions regarding the Stables issue at the next full meeting of council on 30 September. Previously, eThekwini Speaker, Logie Naidoo, disallowed the questions citing a technical issue.

“I fail to understand why the city manager seems to think that this is privileged information. We are talking about a lease to use public land. Why is the City Manager so reluctant to have these simple questions answered? What is he hiding? The DA in will continue to put pressure on the City Manager to ensure that he manages this city in a manner where the public is consulted and involved,” he said.

Nadine Parker of Newmarket Stables said she too was fed up with getting no answers from the City Manager.

“We have asked so many questions repeatedly, and had no answers. We are currently making an application to the High Court to try get answers that way,” she said.

Parker said the riding school was still operating on the premises, despite the eviction notice issued last month. She said she would sit tight and let the law and the constitution take its course.

“We need to go the court route, otherwise we are just going to sit in limbo. The municipality did not follow the correct procedures. We are still here and busier than ever. I have people on a waiting list, but can't do anything. This should be promoted as the finest equestrian centre in KZN, it doesn't have to be created, it exists, and if the municipality wants to hold the Olympics one day, we should be part of that. Our location makes us popular, are they going to build us another premises?” she asked.

Parker said Mount Edgecombe riding school was in the process of closing down and the horses, trainers and riders would also be moving to Newmarket Stables.

“This keeps riding available for children in Durban. We were happy to move next door to the mashee course, the municipality could have been the saviours of this sport in Durban. We have children doing so well in the sport, having qualified for KZN events and winning KZN dressage champs as well as international competitions. We are really growing kids into the sport and getting it right,” she said.

Jeff van Belkum, who has been behind the fight to save Newmarket Stables from the start, said: “Even if the club had one member, the municipality shouldn't be allowed to do what it is doing. It is wrong.”

Responding to questions on how the city planned to proceed regarding the tenants at Newmarket Stables, EThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said: “Should any of the occupants given eviction notices refuse to vacate, the normal eviction process will apply.”