Private talks come to light about community hall
The future of the Titi Jonas multipurpose centre became a matter of concern for resident and EFF member Bonani Ketiso after he heard there were private negotiations between the municipality and an interested party about taking over the lease.
Ketiso said he and other EFF members called for meetings with mayor Phindile Faxi in an attempt to block any possibility of swapping lease-holders without re-advertising a lease tender for the hall.
Then Ketiso became worried about the mayor’s silence.
The hall was previously leased to Alroy Taai about two years ago, but Ketiso said Taai had lost interest in the hall in 2017 and wanted to terminate his contract with Ndlambe Municipality.
Ndlambe FM Station manager Dodo Shuping expressed interest in taking over the contract. The radio station is the only tenant in the centre, which also houses a gym which was run directly by Taai.
Ketiso and other EFF members heard that negotiations were taking place and were unhappy with the process.
Other concerned individuals whom Ketiso did not mention, leaked information about a private “swap deal” for the contract.
But an amount estimated at R38,000, which had been spent on renovations by Taai, appeared to have delayed the swap deal.
“Taai wanted Dodo to pay him his money before he swapped the contract to him,” Ketiso said.
He said in a meeting with the mayor in April, he did not dispute private discussions about the swap deal.
“Tata Mayor admitted to us that they were in discussions for a swap deal of contract but he promised that he will re-advertise the hall,” Ketiso said.
“We want other people who might have interest, to get an opportunity to apply.”
He said Shuping should apply just like other people and should not get special treatment.
Ketiso said he had been buying the TotT every week hoping to see an advertisement for the hall lease, but became concerned when he didn’t see it. He felt the deal might have been finalised in the aforementioned private discussions.
Another issue he raised was the maintenance of the venue.
“When you get there the door locks are broken and yet the venue is continuously being hired,” he said.
He wondered where the money was going.
Shuping confirmed Ndlambe FM’s interest in the lease, but insisted nothing was finalised.
“What I can say is that the negotiations are still under way and there is nothing concluded. Remember we are the ones operating here from 6am to midnight. We said to Mr Taai, ‘why don’t you allow us to take full control of the venue?’ ”
Taai confirmed he was still the leaseholder but did not have time to manage the venue anymore and was interested in getting out of his lease.
He said he had allowed Ndlambe FM to manage the venue for him and felt they were doing a better job than what he could.
“I understand this has to be tabled in council for a decision,” he said.
Municipal spokesperson Cecil Mbolekwa said: “We will only comment once the municipality has taken a decision to lease the property. At the moment we are not involved as it’s a gentlemen’s agreement between the two parties.”