In order to avert the losses of a million rand car wash facility in Beaufort Street sitting idle, Makana Municipality intends to lease the facility to the neighbouring car wash business, Liyakhanya Car Wash.
The move was met with mixed reactions by the council when it was dicussed during a meeting on Wednesday.
In order to avert the losses of a million rand car wash facility in Beaufort Street sitting idle, Makana Municipality intends to lease the facility to the neighbouring car wash business, Liyakhanya Car Wash.
The move was met with mixed reactions by the council when it was dicussed during a meeting on Wednesday.
Makana Municipal Manager Ntombi Baart announced at the meeting that the mayoral committee has resolved that the facility be leased to Mbulelo Kitsili who runs Liyakhanya.
"The curent occupier [Kitsili] should submit a business plan indicating how the youth will benefit from the project," she added. However, Ward 6 councillor Zonwabele Mantla said the facility was meant for young people and that there are young people in his ward who want to be involved in working for the municipal car wash.
Ward 10 councillor Xolani Simakuhle asked the municipality to act swiftly when implementing council resolutions as the facility has become a "white elephant".
Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana said that his committee took the decision because the facility was "sitting idle and benefitting no one at the moment".
"When the Cacadu [district municipality]donated the money to build that facility," he argued, "it was to support the activity which was already taking place there."
He accused the council of "messing up" the project and hinted that his committee is viewing their actions as damage control.
Ward 9 councillor Mxolisi Ntshiba said he also had an interest in operating the car wash but admitted that this could easily give rise to a conflict of interests since he is also a councillor.
Lena May , the Ward 11 councillor expressed her dissatisfaction about not being involved in discussions about the facility which falls under her ward.
"The issue was badly handled from the start," she lamented. Proportional Representation councillor Theo Fulani said that he wanted the facility to be operating by Friday and that the paperwork should follow suit.
Lwana agreed with Fulani in that even though the signing of the paperwork has not yet been finalised Kitsili should go ahead and occupy the facility.
Ward 5 councillor Luyanda Nase promised the meeting that he would submit a written statement which will explain his objection to the move.
"A legitimate expectation was created that some youth will make some money from running the facility," he argued.
