More confusion over city’s convention centre
MORE confusion has been created following an advertisement that was placed yesterday indicating that the Northern Cape Economic Development Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Nceda) would be taking over all bookings of the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre (MSCC), as a legal battle continues to rage over who the rightful occupants are.
According to the advertisement all bookings should be directed through Nceda as from March 26.
The notice indicated that no reservations would be secured if it was not done through Nceda.
Various government and ANC events have been held at the centre since the beginning of the week, and these were arranged through the current occupants – Umfana Enterprises and Silver Solutions CC Joint Venture and International Convention Solutions (ICS) CC.
Umfana Enterprises, Silver Solutions and ICS have, however, given the reassurance that it was “business as usual” and no events would be disrupted.
In their application to appeal an eviction order that was granted to vacate the premises by yesterday, the companies pointed out that the judgement handed down was not impartial, as the “learned acting judge” had served as the legal representative in a related matter involving the MEC for Roads and Public Works, Nceda and the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism and themselves in July 2015.
Peyper Attorneys, who is representing the companies, pointed out that the convention centre was not occupied in terms of any contractual agreement.
“It is not only actual bias but also the appearance of bias that disqualifies a judicial officer from presiding over judicial proceedings. The learned acting judge sat on a case in circumstances where her association with the respondents (provincial government departments) seen objectively was bound to give rise to a reasonable apprehension that she might fail to bring an impartial mind to bear upon the adjudication of the matter.”
It was also highlighted that the eviction order only applied to the joint venture and not to ICS.
Spokesperson for the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Zandisile Luphahla, called upon the public not to make any payments to the current management of MSCC (International Convention Solutions CC).
“According to the court judgement, they were found to be occupying the centre illegally.”
He indicated that no upcoming events would be affected by Nceda taking over the centre.
“The department has established a working committee to ensure a smooth transition from ICS to Nceda. The daily management will remain with the public entity, Nceda, and only related services will be outsourced so as to avoid having to approach the court for eviction order when contracts is terminated.”
He pointed out that they were only notified on Tuesday by the office of the state attorney that the appeal was lodged on March 16.
“Therefore the department is in the process of finalising its opposing papers against the appeal and they will be filed soon.”
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