Update on resorts probe to be tabled

AN in-depth update on the probe into resorts owned by the municipality must be tabled, with timeframes, at the next municipal public accounts committee meeting, to be held later this month.

This was the recommendation made by councillors yesterday as the committee discussed its 2015-2016 quarterly oversight report.

Municipal resorts that fall within the Port Elizabeth area include the Willows Resort, Beachview and the Van Stadens resort.

All three were mentioned in the Kabuso Report, which the municipality decided to resuscitate last month.

The report, which is at least seven years old, details irregular expenditure on projects and how millions of rands are owed to the city in outstanding rates and service charges.

The committee had previously asked that sports, recreation and arts and culture executive director Noxolo Nqwazi present a business plan and turnaround strategy to improve the management of municipal resorts.

ANC councillor Ncediso Captain said he was concerned there seemed to be no strategic plan in place.

“If legal issues are blocking issues of strategic planning we must be told. We can’t continue like this and be told it’s just an ongoing process.”

The city is awaiting legal advice on the Kabuso Report as it attempts to pursue criminal charges against those implicated. City manager Johann Mettler said legal issues were being sorted out.