TZANEEN: Is there a ‘silver’ lining behind dark allegations against lodge?
'The owner of Sima Silver Lodge has not yet provided the municipality with the impact assessment report and he has been engaged on several occasions.'
That, according to municipal spokesperson Neville Ndlala.
However, this statement was changed minutes before the article was published in person by Ndlala.
Various complaints of residents residing in the Lushof area were made to the Letaba Herald about the Sima Silver Lodge since December 2016.
The Lodge officially opened in October 2016, according to one of our sources.
It seems that all ‘hell’ broke loose on new year’s eve with fireworks rocketing from the lodge.
And that was allegedly the beginning of unbearably loud noise from the lodge, almost on a daily basis and over weekends.
Other questions were raised by the residents regarding the rezoning of the property.
Rumors that the lodge is in arrears of thousands in electricity bills are also doing the rounds.
An application for a new electrical connection of 50KVA 8O AMP MAX line was also done on July 4 2016.
The quotation was to an amount of R121 215.82.
It was paid in full on the same day, as a debit note was issued.
Letaba Herald is in possession of the documentation.
The Herald visited the Lodge.
The rooms are extremely neat and the lodge as a whole makes an ideal venue for any function or conference, big or small.
Most of the facilities, like one of the conference rooms, were not completed and it seemed that the restaurant was also not fully functional at the time of our “visit”.
All seems not to be in order, and somewhere along the line residents are smelling a rat.
Letaba Herald posed the following questions to Ndlala from the GTM on March 31:
The residents in the area alleged that they were not informed about the building of the lodge, that the building plans were approved but never proclaimed and they want to know if zoning was done . There are also rumors that they are in arrears with Water and electricity of over R20 000.
Over weekends and in the middle of the week, the loud music is disturbing. Without notifying residents.
Your comment in this regard would be appreciated.
Nevile Ndlala responded on Tuesday afternoon April 18:
“The rezoning of the remainder of portion 28 of the Farm Lushof 540LT (Sima Silver Lodge) from “Agriculture” to “Special for Overnight Accommodation and Ancillary Activities” including a restaurant and conference facilities was approved by Council resolution C 2008 05 27: B14 with at least sixteen conditions. One of the conditions was that the owner ensures that the proposed land uses comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulation no 1182 in terms of the Environmental Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989).
The amendment of the town planning scheme (rezoning) was placed in the Provincial Gazette No. 1434 on 18 January 2008 as well as in the edition of the local newspapers.
The owner of the above-mentioned property has not yet provided the municipality with the impact assessment report and he has been engaged on several occasions. He has also been notified of his violation of building regulations and so far two contravention notices have been issued. He has also been reminded in writing of the outstanding EIA which remains a stumbling block to the finalisation of the rezoning process.
Building plans for the above-mentioned property cannot with current conditions be approved, however the municipality can approve “As- Built Plans” considering that the plans meet prescribe building regulations. The owner must finalise the environmental assessment process in order to conclude the rezoning process and for the “built-plans” to be considered for approval.With regard to the liquor license please enquire with the Liquor Board as the competent body regarding issuing of licences to sell liquor.
Any Noise or disturbance of peace must be reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for action. All residents are expected to adhere to by-laws and in the absence of by-law national legislation will be applied. The municipality will take all necessary steps to ensure that there is compliance to all town planning legislation and environmental laws, not just in this case but in all cases.”
Minutes before publishing this article today, Wednesday April 19, Ndlala visited the Herald’s office and supply documentation that ‘proves’ that: The owner of the above-mentioned property has submitted the report in relations to the EIA to the GTM.
With regards to the liquor license, Ndlala submitted the liquor license to Letaba Herald which was approved and dated December 12 2016. The liquor license type stipulated: License type: Accommodation. Valid 1 January 2017- 31 December 2017
Contrary to another approved liquor license document that was also approved, but on August 22 2012.
