MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A homeowner on the Mossel Bay Golf Estate claims that she and her fellow homeowners have been excluded from meetings regarding decisions surrounding the estate.

Tania Halse emailed a statement to Mossel Bay Advertiser on 30 May, saying she had filed a motion of no confidence against the estate's board of directors.

In the statement, Halse claims that the homeowners have been excluded from the renewal of the tri-party agreement between the Mossel Bay Golf Club, the homeowners association (HOA) and Mossel Bay Municipality, and that they have been struggling to get accurate information from the board on procurement procedures.

However, according to the golf estate's board of directors' chairperson, Arno von Mansberg, no valid motion of no confidence had been submitted.

"For such a motion to be recognised, it must comply with the formal procedure, which includes a properly motivated submission with 40 signatures of homeowners and a call for a special general meeting [SGM]. What the board did receive were two informal email requests to place a motion of no confidence against certain directors on the agenda of an already arranged SGM for another matter. These were not considered, as they lacked both procedural validity and a factual basis," reads a statement by Von Mansberg and the board, shared with the Advertiser in response to Halse's claims.

Tri-party agreement

The tri-party agreement was expected to be renewed on 1 July and to be extended for a period of five years before the next renewal.

Halse later told the Advertiser she had launched an official dispute over the filing of the agreement. "My well-supported facts from the existing agreement and our Memorandum of Incorporation were called my 'opinion', and my dispute was dismissed without discussion."

In response to Halse's claims surrounding the tri-party agreement, Von Mansberg stated that the allegations questioning the board's authority to enter into contract negotiations were unfounded. "The board voluntarily convened an SGM to present the negotiated terms to members, achieving nearly 65% approval. While not a legal requirement, this step was taken to demonstrate transparency and good governance," reads his statement.

As part of the agreement, each property within the estate will contribute R152.08 per month, included in the standard levy. 

These funds will be allocated towards capital improvement projects at the golf club, ensuring the club maintains its competitive standing, enhances its facilities and remains a top destination for golf enthusiasts, tourists and prospective homeowners alike.

"A well-maintained and thriving golf club brings a strong sense of community, promotes wellness and outdoor activity, creates job opportunities and draws visitors to our beautiful part of the country - all contributing to a vibrant local economy and forming part of the bigger Iconic Mossel Bay drive," wrote Von Mansberg in a letter announcing the five-year partnership with the golf club and the municipality.

Letter to homeowners

Von Mansberg insists that the allegations of withholding information from homeowners are categorically false, and that all reasonable requests are processed with due diligence.

In a letter addressing the homeowners, the board urged that they be allowed to perform their duties without constant obstruction, undue pressure or politically motivated interference.

Read the full letter here.

The municipality responded to the Advertiser's enquiry regarding Halse's claims, saying: "This is an internal matter of the homeowners association, and the municipality has no further comment." 

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