MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The tenant of the former yacht club building in the Mossel Bay harbour has been ordered to leave the premises by 31 March.
The Mossel Bay Advertiser heard the tenant had been served an eviction order and asked Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) for comment.
In a statement this week, TNPA noted: "The High Court of Cape Town has issued an order confirming the cancellation of the lease between TNPA and Mossel Bay Waterfront Pty. The court ruling was handed down on 2 February."
The Advertiser has been inundated with letters and calls from unhappy residents since the Mossel Bay Waterfront company took occupation of the premises about three years ago.
Yacht owners and sailing enthusiasts complained that the company was not paying rent and was charging too much in mooring fees. The company's alleged non-payment of rent and millions of rands in rental arrears made national news.
'Never once defaulted'
Mossel Bay residents and yacht owners pointed out that the previous tenant, the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC), had "never once defaulted on rent". They pointed out that the Learn to Sail School, now called the Skipper Foundation NPO, which offers free sailing coaching to children who cannot afford it and is serving the community, had also been forced to vacate the yacht club building.
Sailing supporters complained that international and national sailing competitions previously held in Mossel Bay were cancelled because the yacht club had no building.
TNPA noted in its statement, the eviction order "applies to all parties occupying the portions of land and water area covering the yacht club and mooring area".
The Advertiser asked TNPA what its plans were for the future of the building and if organisations or companies could apply to hire it.
TNPA noted in its statement: "TNPA operates within a legislative and regulatory framework created by the National Ports Act No.12 of 2005. This requires the Authority to follow a process that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective in appointing service providers looking to provide port services and operate port facilities. This process will be undertaken in due course relative to the area currently under focus as part of the court process."
Yacht club wants to rent again
The Advertiser approached the MBYBC for comment. Spokesperson for the club Wilhelm von Schütz said: "MBYBC, which originally built and developed the premises and moorings, would like to rent these again.
"We had a good record with TNPA and never missed a single month of rent. What is TNPA going to do to recover the R3 million-plus in unpaid rental from the Mossel Bay Waterfront? The case is not sub judice anymore and TNPA must disclose to taxpayers the full outstanding amount owed."
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