No privitisation on cards for bowling club

JOBURG – The Johannesburg Property Company responded to allegations by the Zoo Lake Bowling Club and the South African Municipal Workers Union that the company plans to privatise the club.

The club has been at the centre of a tender controversy, which began when club management was notified by way of an eviction notice that their tender bid was unsuccessful.

A protest event against recent allegations of the company’s intention to privatise the grounds is planned for 6 October.

An e-mail from club manager Chris Moffatt to this reporter quoted from a June 2011 letter, ostensibly from the property company to various local government agencies, that the company identified the club “for disposal for business purposes, after assessment of the application and of the property, this department does not have any objection in terms of disposal.”

In a statement on the Cosatu website, Samwu spokesperson Tahir Sema said, “Plans have just been revealed indicating that the Joburg municipality intends to sell [the club] off to a private owner who wants to use it for commercial and non-public means.”

Sema pledged the union’s support of the planned protest event.

Property company spokesperson Brian Mahlangu said, “The [city council] has no intention nor approved plans to sell the [club] or any other public recreational or sporting facility it owns and manages. The [club] is not being sold or privatised.”

Mahlangu said the lease the club had with the city council for 81 years lapsed, and as part of an initiative by the city council to “open up all sporting facilities in the city to all its residents”, the club was among approximately 45 sporting facilities put out to tender.

He said most of the facilities had been run by previously advantaged people, and had not been properly maintained.

“These clubs have been mainly run for commercial gain and not for their potential social benefits to residents. [This club] is famed for its menu and drinks rather than its sporting achievements,” said Mahlangu.

He also slammed Samwu for not having sought clarity with the city council before providing residents with “inaccurate information”.

“Union members are actively involved within the [city structures] and should be aware of the initiative of the [city council] regarding recreational facilities, including the club and, before issuing that statement… which calls for a protest against the [city council], could have checked its facts,” said Mahlangu.