POLOKWANE – She says the Department of Transport’s allegations that she was running a brothel has damaged her brand extensively.
The club which operated from the Polokwane International Airport, was raided by police and shut down in August 2015.
You may also want to raid: Police raid Millionaires Restaurant in Polokwane
“Although the court proved the Department of Transport, who accused me of operating without a liquor licence and running a brother, wrong, the integrity of my business will never be the same.
“The department and the CEO of the airport, have copies of my liquor licence and approvals for me to rent the place, which I did at the time.
“Allegations that I owed them R1,9 million for rent is a fabrication,” Maumela said.
“I spent about R10 million building Millionaire Lounge and ill-informed people destroyed it in less than two hours.
“I know the department was misled as a tender was waiting in the ranks to be awarded,” she claimed.
“Millionaire Lounge was my brainchild.
You may also want to read: Noisy club at airport housed illegal immigrants
“During the police raid in 2015, they forcibly took the keys from one of the employees, opened the safe and confiscated even the money.
“They removed posters, and harassed employees. They also took iPads and cell phones. I spent almost R1 million on lawyers.
“They ended up arresting two Zimbabwean women whose passports were expired by only one day and in the process they associated me with human trafficking.
“What also exasperated me is that they loaded my safe with paper cuttings,” she claimed.
According to her, she plans on spending more on legal fees.
Maumela’s lawyer, Eben Smit of Smith and Maree Attorneys, said the allegations that there is a court order ordering Maumela to leave the premises within 30 days is nonsense.
“My client is leaving the premises of her own will.
“The Department of Transport must pay for the damages she suffered for a period of two years, the loss of income and removing her from the premises.
“There was no reason to remove her from the premises, we are going to hit them hard,” said Smit.
Department of Transport Spokesperson, Joshua Kwapa, said the department was not aware of any documentation suggestion they are being sued.
“We are only aware of the court order that orders Millionaire Lounge to leave GAAL’s premises in 30 days,” said Kwapa.
