Tenant versus landlord – Port Shepstone Saps rent saga continues
There hasn't been a lease agreement for the SAPS pound for the last five years.
The ongoing saga at the Port Shepstone SAPS vehicle crime investigation unit continues.
On Monday this week the unit was once again temporarily closed leaving staff ‘locked out’. The ‘lock out’ is again due to the Department of Public Works’ alleged failure to pay rent and regarding problems with the lease agreement dating back five years.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : SAPS vehicle unit locked out again as matter drags on and on
On Tuesday last week the department was granted an interdict by the High Court instructing the landlord to open the premises.
Two weeks ago the Herald reported that the SAPS unit had been locked out and spokesman for the Department of Public Works, Thami Mchunu, said the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) found out that the landlord (Sean Naidoo of Silver Moon Investments 145cc) had fraudulently overcharged the Department of Public Works by R30-million.
Mr Mchunu said the department was then instructed by the SIU to withhold the extra payments as they were illegal. “In fact, the SIU and the department are pursuing a fraud case against the landlord which is set to begin in April.”
On reading the comments made by Mr Mchunu, Mr Naidoo was shocked to read the “lies” put forward by the department’s spokesman.
“I wish to put on record that Mr Mchunu has been misled or he is deliberately trying to destroy my credibility,” said Mr Naidoo.
“I have not been charged. There is no pending case by the SIU or the Department of Public Works. I have been accused by the SIU of providing less space than I have charged for in terms of the contract. I have issued a response to the Hawks in which I have demonstrated the fraud and perjury by the SIU investigator as well as a private expert from a consulting civil and structural engineers’ company.
“The ‘expert report’ actually found extra space in both the parking and office areas. We have sued the Department of Public Works accordingly. We are waiting for a court date,” said Mr Naidoo.
The premises houses the Port Shepstone SAPS vehicle identification unit and the SAPS tactical response team. Problems with the lease and rent date back a number of years.
According to Mr Naidoo, the Department of Public Works is unlawfully withholding R30-million of rent from March 2017 until today.
“Both the SIU and the department have refused to meet to resolve this matter. They cancelled two meetings at the eleventh hour because they realised that they had been caught out. This is unusual as, if we met and they proved that I owed money, I would pay them immediately, be the amount R8-million or R30-million. I do not run a backyard operation that cannot pay these amounts,” said Mr Naidoo.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : Staff locked out of Marburg vehicle crime unit over rental dispute
He said a court date for the eviction of the SAPS will be heard on June 15.
“The grounds for this are that there hasn’t been a lease for the last five years and that rent has not been paid for over a year. This is a case I brought against the corrupt Department of Public Works. Note that I have instructed my attorney to prepare a defamation lawsuit against Mr Mchunu, as his statements have negatively affected my operations locally and abroad,” said Mr Naidoo.
Mr Mchunu was contacted for comment and said they would not comment on Mr Naidoo’s letter to the Herald. “The matter is pending in a court of law,” said Mr Mchunu.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
