Power was cut to Ballito’s Odyssey Mall on April 24 over a R6.2-million unpaid electricity bill, leaving businesses scrambling and fuelling disputes over management and generator access.

According to a notice issued by KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), the mall’s owners, Ballito Vitality Retail Centre (Pty) Ltd, owed R6 196 256.56 for electricity and related charges. The warning, issued by KDM’s director of revenue, Mthandeni Nene, was addressed to Renaissance Group’s Ravi Pillay, giving the mall until April 23 to settle the debt. When the deadline lapsed, power was cut the following day.

Most of the mall was switched to generator power, but tenants including Fit24 Gyms and the Lyric Lounge Theatre were left in the dark.

Fit24 only had electricity restored on May 5. In a written notice to members, the gym claimed the generator connection had been deliberately compromised.

“We have been informed that the landlords unilaterally decided to terminate generator power supply to one section of the building,” the notice read.

“This decision directly affected our operations as well as the residential apartments located above. Our legal team is actively working to resolve the matter.”

The gym further alleged that KwaDukuza officials found evidence that the generator connection had been tampered with. Fit24 could not be reached for further comment.

The Lyric Lounge, which opened to much fanfare in November, also announced their closure, citing ongoing management and infrastructure issues.

“We are deeply saddened to announce that the Lyric Lounge Theatre will be temporarily closed until we find a new venue,” said director Morné Lane.

“Odyssey Mall is unfortunately no longer a viable home for our theatre.”

This is not the first time the mall has faced trouble with municipal bills. When the site was known as Ballito Bay Mall in 2017, KDM was forced to approach the courts to recover a staggering R16.5-million from liquidators. The mall was subsequently purchased from liquidation for R135-million by Cyber Savvy Merchants (Pty) Ltd.

Odyssey Mall now operates as a sectional title scheme. Pillay declined to comment, saying only that the property is administered by the Odyssey Management Association, which could not be reached.

KDM declined to provide further comment on the current matter.

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