Cape Town - The ANC’s poor payment history will see the party paying upfront to secure the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for its provincial elective conference this weekend.
The CTICC has enforced strict conditions after its four-year battle to recoup the R2.05 million the ANC owed for its three-day conference in 2011.
The ANC had paid off its debt in drips and drabs after cheques bounced; payment promises were not kept, court battles and a default judgment was issued. Goods worth R15 000 were also attached at the ANC offices.
The debt was finally settled in March.
The spat over outstanding debt turned ugly with senior City of Cape Town officials at one stage recommending that the ANC in the Western Cape be barred from hosting events at the CTICC until it settled its account of 2011.
Party insiders say the party had to pay an upfront deposit of about R300 000 to secure the venue and will also have to settle the bill due to its previous bad payment history.
While ANC provincial treasurer Fezile Calana could not be reached for comment, the party’s provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile said the venue was chosen because it could accommodate the party’s needs and numbers.
He added that the ANC was paying all its service providers upfront because it did not want problems later.
While the CTICC may have been outspoken about the ANC’s previous debts, it was not prepared to divulge any details regarding the party’s upcoming conference nor the amount the venue would cost the party.
“The ANC is hosting an event this weekend and will be required to abide by the same terms and conditions as any other client using the CTICC.
“The contractual terms of any client are highly confidential and we are not at liberty to discuss the contract,” the chief executive officer of the CTICC, Julie-May Ellingson, said.
She added that all events booked required a deposit.
“Furthermore, full payment is required before any event commences. This applies to all events booked at the CTICC,” Ellingson said.
The city’s mayoral committee member for Finance, Ian Neilson, said the previous debt has been settled, as reported at a Convenco board meeting.
“The CTICC must advise on what it has put into place for the new hiring contract. We know that there is a standard requirement for all CTICC rental for a deposit to be paid up front,” Neilson added.
The CTICC is managed by Convenco, a municipal entity, and the City of Cape Town has been working with Convenco for the past four years to get the money.
Cape Argus