Yacht Club responds to TNPA claims of vandalism, disrepair

The Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC), writes:

This is in response to the letter from TNPA, published in the Mossel Bay Advertiser on 8 November.

The MBYBC does not intend to get involved in a war of words, but unfortunately is forced to answer on some of the allegations made by TNPA.

Over a period of 63 years, MBYBC members have developed the land on which the MBYBC was situated, which initially was just a little piece of rocky shoreline.

The infrastructure associated with the club and the premises have over time been transformed and routine maintenance has ensured that an asset of real value has been made available to a wide spectrum of the Mossel Bay inhabitants and the valuable holiday visitors.

These developments were entirely funded by contributions and subscriptions from the yacht club members. This includes the fifty walk-on moorings that were built inside the harbour walls.

When the MBYBC was forced to leave the premises at the end of January 2019, it was also forced to leave behind a fully developed clubhouse, braai area, slipway, parking area reclaimed from the sea and other assets, the replacement value of which is worth well in excess of R10 million and without receiving ANY compensation from TNPA.

Despite being a registered public benefit and Non-Profit organization, the MBYBC had to pay commercial monthly rental rates, eventually amounting to R125 000 per month. This was done without missing a single payment in 63 years!

The lease agreement stipulated that the MBYBC had to remove all plant and machinery as well as freestanding items and vacate the grounds in a clean condition at the termination of the lease. This was indeed done by MBYBC.

All damage that resulted from such removal was repaired and painted before the handover inspection took place.

Port security was on site during this removal process and there were no reports of vandalism then or when the keys were handed over to the port officials. After the premises was vacated, it became clear that TNPA was not happy with the fact that the MBYBC rightfully removed its movable assets (fridges, bar counter and so forth).

It claimed these as it did all other improvements to the premises.

TNPA acted irrationally in allowing an entity to occupy state-owned property without a signed lease agreement, paying the necessary deposits and rental. The Port and Property Manager should accept responsibility for this instead of blaming an organisation that paid its dues and served the community with distinction for many years.

It must be mentioned that the basis of the MBYBC's review to court was indeed the ability of the competitor company to pay the hefty monthly rent. It is significant that no rent has been paid to date - and TNPA states that as yet no rental agreement has been signed.

If the property was in such bad shape, it raises the question of how it is possible that the new tenant could start trading virtually from day one after occupying the premises and generating significant income to this day.

Liquor and food is sold, portions of the property are sublet, membership, slipway and mooring fees are charged and the mooring rights are sold - all of this income being pocketed without paying any rent.

It is unheard of to be granted beneficial occupation for nearly a year while government and the taxpayer are losing out on millions of rands in rental income.

We trust this clarifies the unfounded allegations made by TNPA, which are rejected.

NOTE: Correspondence on TNPA Mossel Bay harbour premises is now closed. - Editor