THE Poinsettia Pistol Club has until the end of this month to vacate its long-standing premises on Umdoni Road, Amanzimtoti, after eThekwini Municipality terminated its lease to make way for a new housing development.

Also read: Amanzimtoti’s Poinsettia Pistol Club faces eviction

A notice of termination, dated August 29, informed the club that the municipality required the property for the construction of a social housing complex.

“Notice is hereby given for the termination of your agreement by giving one calendar month’s notice with effect from September 1,” it stated.

The club has until September 30 to vacate, return its keys to eThekwini’s Inspectorate Division Unit, and ensure all utilities are disconnected. The 98-unit affordable housing complex the municipality plans to build on the 1.1683-hectare site will consist of three-storey blocks and is aimed at households earning between R3 500 and R22 000 per month. The project was approved by the city council on April 17.

The Poinsettia Pistol Club, founded in 1966 as the Amanzimtoti Ladies Pistol Club, has about 80 members and the shooting range was recognised by both the Natal and SA Pistol Associations. Club representative Johan Herselman said members were dismayed by the municipality’s decision.

“We are looking for another area to start over, or other clubs to join. I still wonder how the municipality will build 98 housing units on that land because the only area good enough to build on is the shooting range. Behind it is a steep hill. Where will the parking be for 98 units?” asked Herselman.

Ward 97 councillor André Beetge has voiced strong objections, accusing the city of pushing through the development without consulting the community. He said that while he is in personal disagreement with the route that the municipality has taken on the matter, it, unfortunately, aligns with policy in the absence of a valid and updated lease.

“The club has extended communication to a similarly aligned entity that promotes the same sport, operating from Nyati Road in Athlone Park. From our observation, the amalgamation of the two clubs would not only enhance the sport but indeed serve to promote Amanzimtoti as a preferred provincial, if not national, venue in the future. Insofar as the development of the node to accommodate social housing, that is in fact different from low-cost housing, where dwellings are allocated free of charge, but instead facilitate start-up families in a certain earning bracket, while at the same time, recognising the proximity to schools, transport routes and retail zones,” said Beetge.

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