Man queries lease agreement with Lukhanji

“When I went to fence the land I found Ikhala College using it for driving lessons. I never used the land, but I get municipal accounts saying I owe the municipality R42 669.35,” Golela said.

He has taken the matter up with attorneys Zepe & Company who have written to the local authority inquiring if there had been a cancellation of the lease and if R450 000 in loss of income could be recovered. The Rep has a copy of the lease agreement, the letter from the lawyers and the municipal account.

Golela wrote letters to the municipality, of which The Rep has copies, requesting that the debt be written off. He only received a response to one letter, acknowledging receipt of one of the letters. It is signed by a Luyanda Sond- lo from Lukhanji and is dated February 6 2014. “This serves to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 28 January. Kindly be informed that we are looking at matter (sic). Where there is development with regard to your applications the Department will call you,” the letter reads.

Lukhanji communications manager Fundile Feketshane said the relationship between Golela and the municipality was regulated by the lease agreement that both parties agreed upon and signed.

“Presumably both parties had duties to perform to the satisfaction of the other and when that does not accrue there are remedies which have been agreed to. We are of the view that the municipality can not subject the confidential agreement to any other party at this stage,” Feketshane said, adding that Golela should rather engage directly with the Human Settlement Directorate to find an amicable solution “than delaying and raising it with other parties.”

As a responsible municipality, he said, Lukhanji remained confident and accessible to anyone to raise any dissatisfaction or disagreement with them so as to march forward in providing sustainable services to the people.