Couple occupies club illegally – JPC
The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) said the Observatory Bowling Club has been illegally occupied since it stopped operating.
The couple demanding accommodation for guarding the former Observatory Bowling Club for more than 10 years were declared illegal occupants.
In its May 26 edition, the EXPRESS published a story of Mr Jan Mokgolobejti and his wife Mrs Lucia, who demanded that the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) give them accommodation as payment for protecting its property without pay.
At the time, Mr Mokgolobejti said he was employed by the owners of the bowling club.
When the business went under, the employers left the premises and left him guarding the building.
“I have been protecting this place, fighting people who wanted to build shacks here. I have put my life at risk for this place. While I did that, nobody paid me a cent,” he said.
The new tenant of the building, Mr Eddie Verleque, said he had asked Mr Mokgolobetji to vacate the building so that he could continue with the renovations.
Mr Verleque said Mr Mokgolobetji would say he would leave at the end of the month, but he never did.
The Johannesburg Property Company’s (JPC) executive manager for property management, Mr Fanis Sardianos, said Mr Kgolobetji has never worked for the CoJ.
“The JPC has no knowledge of Mr Mokgobetji, however JPC has knowledge that the adjoining room to the facility was illegally occupied by members of the public,” he said.
According to Mr Sardianos, the property has not been legally occupied for a long time.
He said the property was zoned as a community facility.
”It can only be utilised to benefit the community and to accommodate any social and community related activities,” said Mr Sardianos.
He said when the previous tenants left at the end of the lease, they did not show any interest in continuing the lease.
”The CoJ had to place a tender to find new tenants. At the time, the CoJ heard that the property was illegally invaded and occupied on numerous occasions,” he said.
Mr Sardianos said Mr Mokgobetji has illegally used council services and illegally sub-let the property to third parties.
“We hope he and his family will vacate the property shortly as discussions are at very advantage stage,” he said.
He said the property will now be used as a sports centre.
