Bid to evict Isseri’s eatery
Amid claims he owes millions for rent and sells liquor without licence
LEGAL woes are mounting for controversial Durban businessman Sateesh Isseri, who is embroiled in a court spat over unpaid rental running into millions of rands for a popular umhlanga eatery he operates.
It has been alleged his rent bill for the upmarket Vivo Restaurant and Lounge on Lagoon Drive hasn’t been paid to the building’s owner since March last year.
An eviction application was brought in the Durban High Court against Isseri, who is listed as one of the respondents, by building owners, the Prosperity Family Trust, in January.
The two other respondents are businesses linked to his family.
Isseri also made appearances in court this week on a separate matter linked to the alleged murder and disappearance of a Durban woman who was last seen with him 10 years ago.
The restaurant has become a popular spot in umhlanga with regular fashion, entertainment and brand launch events being held there.
The rent for Isseri’s restaurant is R112 000 a month. His responding application was initially filed in April but he made further submissions thereafter.
In his court documents, Isseri said he took tenancy in the property in December 2016 and he claimed he spent R5.3 million on the property for “essential and necessary improvements”.
Residents of Lagoon Drive have lodged complaints alleging that the venue sometimes traded as a nightclub instead of as an eatery.
Councillor Heinz de Boer said he had received several complaints about the establishment. “Other complaints about the establishment included serving liquor without a liquor licence. These complaints were raised with local authorities and the deputy mayor’s office.”
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-colonel Thulani Zwane, also confirmed that two employees of the establishment had been arrested in July for dealing in liquor without a licence.
Meanwhile, the ethekwini Municipality said it was investigating the authenticity of the restaurant’s business licence, because a shareholder of Prosperity Family Trust, Gordon Mackay, questioned in an official complaint how the licence had been issued since they had not granted permission.
Mackay also claimed that he had not transferred a liquor licence to the establishment.
“We are serious about good governance and should the report reveal that someone acted in a manner that does not comply with municipal policy, necessary corrective measures will be implemented,” said city spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa.
Isseri’s attorney, Vishal Junkeeparsad, said his clients were not prepared to comment on the matter at this stage. Fashion designer Gavin Rajah at the launch of his new @Home bedroom collection.