Loss for local government

A R10 million development, managed by the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM), remains out of use for more than five years, and the DA is worried about the losses it will bring.

“The WRDM built Katlego Cultural Village in Muldersdrift on property that does not even belong to them. More than R10 million was spent without a proper agreement between the WRDM and the property owner,” Dennis Pretorius, DA caucus leader of the West Rand District Municipality, says.

Pretorius questions who will be liable for the R10 million.

Refentse Mangope, WRDM Spokesperson, explains that during 2001 the Katlego Cultural Facility was initiated by the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, the latter who donated a piece of land to the municipality for implementation of this project.

“It was donated within the view of formulating a Public Private Partnership.

“The WRDM acknowledges that the initial project objectives were not fully realised over the years. However, the intention of the project was aimed at poverty alleviation for communities residing within the Kromdraai area, and also to attract tourism potential to the area, thereby contributing towards the economic viability of the West Rand in general,” Mangope says.

Mangope added that there are current negotiations underway with the landowners.

Katlego Cultural Village was to have a restaurant, internet café, boardroom, exhibition centre and open-grass amphitheater among other facilities.

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