All might not be lost for the R10 million investment the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) built 10 years ago on the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve property.
“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 with the property owner,” said Dennis Pretorius, DA caucus leader of the West Rand District Municipality.
Refentse Mangope, WRDM spokesperson explained that during 2001 the Katlego Cultural Facility was initiated by the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, who donated a piece of land to the municipality for implementation of this project.
“It was donated with the view of formulating a Public Private Partnership.”
Ed Hern, founder and owner of Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve, told the News he and his team proposed a project that would create job opportunities in the Kromdraai area about 14 years ago. Katlego Cultural Village was expected to receive exposure to the more than 2 000 daily reserve visitors. Hern said the building has great potential for the tourism industry on the West Rand.
“The building was built 10 years ago, and nothing has come of it. No revenue has been made,” Hern said.
“We want to manage the building, but we are still negotiating with the WRDM.”
“The WRDM never put the building in their name, as I never formally agreed to it. We still are going back and forth about the ownership of the 1 200 square metre building.”
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