Bid to stop another SABC building auction

Human Settlements Department to consult with legal team over chance to create affordable housing.

Human Settlements Department to consult with legal team over chance to create affordable housing.

Published Jul 6, 2021

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Cape Town - The Department of Human Settlements and Housing Development Agency (HDA), which is opposed to the controversial SABC Rocklands Villas property auction, has about nine days to find the right course within the legal frameworks to prevent another auction attempt.

This is after the Western Cape High Court granted the SABC permission to proceed with the public auction for the residential property in Sea Point.

The public broadcaster’s group executive for corporate affairs, Gugu Ntuli, said the SABC was obligated to ensure that the state assets were disposed of at maximum value via a transparent and fair process.

The property, advertised by Aucor Property, sits on five erven with a block of flats boasting 14 units over three erven. The remaining two erven, which can be used as a parking, measures 900m².

The auction is now expected to resume at the Houghton Golf Club, Houghton on July 15 at 11am.

Aucor’s Sean Parsons said they have been mandated by the SABC to sell the property in Sea Point on auction.

Human Settlements spokesperson Mandulo Maphumulo said the department and its agency were aware of yet another planned auction by the SABC and they were consulting with their legal team.

“This comes after the public broadcaster’s rejection of the offer to purchase the building made by the HDA. The HDA, in conjunction with the department, is pursuing this matter based on available legal and administrative remedies that will lead to this matter being resolved,” said Maphumulo.

The department and the agency filed an urgent interdict in May following an attempt of securing a meeting with SABC to discuss the possibility of affordable housing as the land is well-located.

The provincial ANC said the building was one of the last remaining properties in public hands which could be used to reverse apartheid spatial planning in the area by building an integrated and affordable housing development.

“We condemn the SABC for this indefensible decision to put profit before people. A fair price must be negotiated.”

Housing lobby groups Reclaim the City and Ndifuna Ukwazi are calling for the consideration of affordable housing.

Cape Times

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