Muni move not without headwinds
The move by certain Knysna municipal departments to the Knysna Mall, starting on Monday 22 April, has run into headwinds.
Municipal union Imatu has written to Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola raising concerns with regard to occupational health and safety regulations, specifically the roof structure, ceilings and electrical installations.
DA Ward 9 Councillor Sharon Sabbagh said she believed the building works are incomplete and electrical, plumbing and fire safety compliance certificates have not been issued.
She said the announcement of the move by Sebola last week was premature and if carried out would cause the municipality to be exposed to a number of risks.
A big concern was parking bay allocation that conflicts with existing commercial operators.
The departments slated to be relocated on Monday 22 April included the directorate of planning and development (building control, land use management, local economic development, and environmental management), as well as infrastructure services (water and sanitation, roads and storm water, and project management).
Traffic, supply chain and finance departments are to move later.
Sabbagh said the location of the storage area, parking bays, toilets and fire escape, too, have yet to be clarified and whether the bathroom facilities for staff comply with regulations.
A big concern was parking bay allocation that conflicts with existing commercial operators.
"The placement of containers for storage and generators significantly reduces the availability of bays to the public, thereby compromising existing commercial tenants,” said Sabbagh.
She said no explanation has been provided of how the allocation of bays to municipal staff and clients will impact the existing tenants and their clientele. "Cabling for internet connectivity has not taken place and Occupational Health and Safety requirements have not been met."
She said the occupation certificate has been issued prematurely, which requires explanation and clarity from the municipal manager, adding that despite an undertaking from Sebola at a meeting held in January to provide councillors with a copy of the lease agreement, together with amendments, this has not been forthcoming.
"We need clarity on whether the rental amount disclosed, R546 000, is inclusive or exclusive of Vat, what this amount includes, what the terms and conditions are and what additional amounts, if any, are to be billed for rates and taxes, sewerage, refuse, water, electricity, storage, parking - and the availability of the generator."
Debt issues
Sabbagh estimates that, on 31 March, the outstanding debt due to Knysna Municipality by Grey Elephant Investments [Knysna Mall], together with The Gallery Body Corporate and Rex Extension is close to R64,6m.
"I arrive at this figure as follows: at the Section 80 finance meeting on 26 January 2024, the agenda included a schedule of the outstanding debt on 31 July 2023, being R47,9m.
"This reflects the July 2023 billing of R2,1m, to which I add a further eight months at R,1m (from August 2023 to March 2024), totalling R16,7m, assuming no further payments have been made as reported therein."
Sabbagh said the latest Section 71 report on 31 March this year reveals a debtors book of R443,4m of which R150,8m is commercial debt.
An item on Monday's special council meeting agenda to approve the new debt policy was withdrawn.
For enquiries or further information, residents can contact Renwill Hardnick at rhardnick@knysna.gov.za / 044 302 6459 or Sibongile Nelo at snelo@knysna.gov.za / 044 302 6323.