In response to questions posed by DA Councillor Rick Crouch, Deputy Mayor Cllr Shabalala admitted that for the past 22 months the lost rental revenue from the empty beachfront restaurants is R1,5 million. And the cost of cleaning and maintenance of the vacant restaurants is R76,000 excluding VAT.
“These questions were submitted by me in September and the answers have been delayed until the council meeting on 7th December, and now we know why. The city has dragged their feet in renting out these three spaces, and I have always said it is because there is currently no ANC connected person in the restaurant business.
If this was their personal property they would have rented them out the first month, but because it is ratepayer money being wasted they just don’t care,” said Councillor Crouch.
“As with the new stadium, the restaurant and hospitality industries were not consulted or involved in the planning of these restaurants and now they are surprised when the industry is not interested. I know of at least two professional restaurateurs, with thriving restaurants in the city, that tendered for the Dairy Beach node and the city officials tell us that they did not receive any tenders from qualified professional restaurateurs.
This is absolute nonsense. We should just add these to the ever-growing list of white elephants and projects that are a complete waste of ratepayer money – someone has to be held accountable,” added Councillor Crouch.