EDITOR – I refer to your article regarding the untenable situation of longstanding sports clubs, forced to operate under month-to-month leases.
Sadly, official statements indicate that current municipal sports policy has nothing to do with the advancement of sport but rather serves as ideological punishment.
Question is, why the song and dance by the DA at this time? This matter has been with us for a few years now. Judging by the comments of Cllr Andre Beetge, they seem to be suffering from selective amnesia. After all, the Ethekwini Municipality officially and quite openly declared its ill-intentioned lease policy at the exco and council meetings held in October 2014. The DA was a participant. The policy was also proudly proclaimed by officials in the news media at the time.
Arising out of such meetings is the Kings Park precinct affair which sees longstanding tenants being evicted, based on the fraudulent city council resolution to lease the precinct for construction of the Liverpool Football Academy. As it turns out, the so-called ‘partnership agreement’ between the council and Liverpool proved to be entirely fictitious. And this is just one aspect of the matter. The DA is fully aware and has been provided with the detail and prima facie evidence. They remain silent, despite lengthy correspondence and pleas for action.
I am surprised at Cllr Beetge’s casual reference to the ‘eviction’ of Newmarket Stables, the ‘controversy’ around Hoy Park and the ‘rumoured investment from Liverpool’. Such comment belies the unlawful and unjust nature of what has occurred.
Unfortunately,the DA has legitimised the council’s actions and decisions, and in doing so, has legitimised the leasing policy. The DA needs to explain its participation in the deal which sees Berea Rovers Sports Club, who were the first to be publicly condemned and named for eviction, but instead of being evicted, being granted a 30 year lease and a host of new facilities, a few days later. Yet the neighbouring tenants on the same land are evicted?
At the time, an obviously elated DA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango declared the deal as ‘a victory for Berea Rovers, the public and our democracy…. a solution was reached after the parties got together and found an amicable way for everyone to live together. Everyone is a winner here.’ Oh really?
I suggest that, as a first step, all affected clubs convene a meeting, form a delegation and seek audience with the city manager. I’m told he is an articulate, reasonable chap. Hopefully, the municipality will extend the hand of reason to all clubs, including those already evicted.
Surely if ‘a solution was reached’ so easily and a 30 year lease granted to Berea Rovers Sports Club, virtually overnight, all clubs must be granted a 30 year lease at the very least? Surely that is justice in its simplest form?
I’m no expert on the law but I’m sure even the Constitutional Court would have to agree.
JEFF VAN BELKUM
