Killarney Country Club lease dispute sparks community support
A growing petition shows public backing for KCC as a legal battle with the City of Johannesburg nears a key court date.
The Killarney Country Club (KCC) is at the centre of a high-stakes legal battle with the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), which seeks to evict the 122-year-old institution from its historic premises.
However, recent developments show that the community is not standing by silently.
A petition, launched by the Lower Houghton Residents Association (LHRA), has been gaining traction. It calls for support of the club’s continued occupation of the land it leases from the city. The petition argues that removing KCC would be devastating for the suburb’s security, maintenance, and character. As it stands, over 3 000 ratepayers are believed to be backing the petition.
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Club president Darryn Faulds has reaffirmed that the current lease, registered at the Deeds Office, remains valid until 2040. He also revealed that the club has already addressed the initial breach notices relating to a billboard and a sub-let restaurant, La Vie en Rose, both of which have since ceased operations. Despite these efforts, the CoJ proceeded with an eviction notice, which KCC has challenged in court through a formal review application.
In a positive turn, Faulds noted that recent engagements with the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), representing the city, may open a path to settlement. A court date is still set for August 13, while both parties have filed their legal arguments.
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While the club welcomes the community’s show of support, it had no prior knowledge of the petition before its circulation. “It is a tremendous outpouring of support,” said Faulds. “This club is open to the public, serves as a voting station, and hosts a wide array of community events.”
Although the petition was launched independently, Faulds sees it as a sign of the club’s value to the broader community. The club continues to operate fully and has pledged to keep members and residents informed.
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