SABC urged to consider using its well-located property for affordable housing

Housing lobby groups are calling for the SABC to consider its well-located Rocklands Villas residential property in Sea Point that is up for public auction, for affordable housing. File picture: Yazeed Kamaldien

Housing lobby groups are calling for the SABC to consider its well-located Rocklands Villas residential property in Sea Point that is up for public auction, for affordable housing. File picture: Yazeed Kamaldien

Published Apr 26, 2021

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Cape Town - Housing lobby groups are calling for the SABC to consider its well-located Rocklands Villas residential property in Sea Point that is up for public auction, for affordable housing.

The public broadcaster issued notices of termination of lease agreements for its non-core properties in December, and that it would sell these at a public auction, however, a date was not given.

This as the company battles to unlock new revenue streams to stay afloat.

SABC acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said having followed the processes required in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the disposal of non-core assets in Cape Town was part of the organisation’s Turnaround Strategy and Target Operating Model.

“To ensure that the business invests in relevant assets, which are in line with and focused on the core business of the public broadcaster, the selling of non-core assets will also assist in a much-needed cash injection, towards a financially sustainable SABC and the funding of critical infrastructure projects,” Seapolelo said.

According to Seapolelo, the auction of the Rocklands Villas property will be held on May 19 to ensure “a fair and transparent process that yields maximum market value for the properties”.

“The SABC will therefore not be able to offer a right of first refusal to current tenants, as the process to purchase the properties will be open to the public and this decision is part of the recommendations of the process undertaken in line with the PFMA."

Advertised by Aucor, the property is 2 162m², and features 5 erven, a block of flats with 14 units over three erven and space for parking measuring 900m².

The terms and conditions include a R50 000 refundable deposit.

Mandisa Zamile, of the Ruyterwacht Community Association (RCA), said they believed if there was vacant land or property in the city the first consideration should be given to social housing.

“People are suffering and cannot afford. It is well known that the government is struggling to accommodate low-income people and the middle class. In terms of our Constitution and the bill rights we are supposed to have the first access to housing so it's not a privilege to have a home. If the auctions do continue, then our local government should consider buying it and develop affordable housing.”

Reclaim the City activist Karen Hendricks said they were shocked to see the advertisement at the weekend.

“It can’t be that the wealthy are prioritised above the housing needs of the poor. That is state-owned land and must not go to private developers when the city is sitting in the midst of a housing crisis. Even in the inner city where over 11 erven were marked for affordable housing, nothing has happened.

“Our local government always makes excuses that there is no available land in the inner city to build affordable housing. Instead people are being pushed out to the outskirts of the city. Here is an opportunity now it must be used,” said Hendricks.

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