R10mil taxpayer money still wasted
But the official owner of the property is going forward with his own developments.
There’s no more waiting for the R10 million investment the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) started with 10 years ago on the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve property.
Ed Hern, founder and owner of Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve, told the News that he has now moved forward with developing the structure, Katlego Cultural Village, without finalising it with the WRDM.
“We are still negotiating, but they don’t answer me,” Ed said.
In August the News published an article about the plans Ed had to utilise the building since the WRDM has not made any plans to do anyting with it.
Ed 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 weekly reserve visitors. Hern said the building has great potential for the tourism industry on the West Rand.
“Now, we are constructing a BMX track next to the building and plan to open a restaurant and conference centre inside the 1 200 square metre building,” Ed said.
“The WRDM built the village on property that does not even belong to them. More than R10 million was spent without a proper agreement with the property owner,” Dennis Pretorius, DA caucus leader of the West Rand District Municipality, said.
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,” Mangope said.
Ed confirmed that the WRDM never put the building in their name, as he never formally agreed to it. They still are going back and forth about the ownership of the building.
“But the property is still in my name,” Ed concluded.
Read more:
• R10 mil white elephant in the wrong hands
