New mall coming to Vryheid?

IS VRYHEID going to get a new shopping mall? It seems so, although it seemed so six years ago and nothing came of it except rumours.

An official notice was placed in the Vryheid Herald on February 6 this year, inviting tenderers to submit proposals for the development of a shopping mall on 23 hectares of municipal commonage. The piece of land in question lies south of and next to Pionier High School, with East Street on its eastern border, and Vryheid cemetery on the west.

It is the same piece of land that in 2009, when the IFP controlled the municipal council, was reportedly sold by public auction, for the purposes of the development of a shopping mall. The sale took place on July 9, 2009, and the upset price was given as R17,250,000.

Who bought it was never disclosed.

What they paid for it was never disclosed.

Why the development never actually took place, was never disclosed.

There were only rumours of “irregularities”.

Presumably the transfer of the property never took place since the municipality is apparently still the registered owner.

In the latest instance, developers had until February 27 to submit their proposals, but some of the conditions and criteria would have been very hard for them to comply with, for example, “The number and nature of temporary and permanent employment opportunities to be generated by the proposed development, as well as anticipated total average monthly payroll”. Much thumb sucking would appear to be a criterion.

The municipality was asked for more information, but again failed top respond.