Tshwane MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, who announced the termination of contract between the City and Silver Valke Sports Club. SUPPLIED
RAPULA MOATSHE
The Silver Valke Sports & Recreation Club also referred to as the Federation has threatened to take the City of Tshwane to court if it does not revoke its decision to terminate the organisation’s lease agreement for a municipal property in Silverton.
The controversy stems from the City's claim that the club breached their lease agreement, which originally spanned over 20 years but expired without renewal.
The City has, however, granted the club temporary extensions to continue using the facility through short-term agreements.
Two months ago, the club was accused of breaching the agreement between the two parties, leading to the contract's cancellation.
Tshwane MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi said the City uncovered that the school was paying the club R12 000 per month in rent.
“The club was originally paying R500 per month to the City,” she said.
She said such discrepancy raised serious concerns, leading to the decision to evict the club, which has 60 days to appeal the decision.
At the time chairperson of the Silver Valke Sport and Recreation Club, Henry van Wyk, said the organisation wanted to seek legal counsel before releasing an official statement on its position.
On Sunday, he announced that the club's lawyers have sent a formal letter to the City, demanding that they rescind their decision to terminate the contract.
He vowed to safeguard the club’s rights and interests, warning that it will pursue compensation from any parties found to be infringing upon them.
When terminating the contract the City cited the club's breach of lease terms, including sub-leasing premises to a school and selling alcohol near a primary school, thereby creating an unsafe environment, as revealed by the City's investigation.
The City said the club's decision to sublease part of the premises to a school allegedly violated the lease agreement, which stipulates that the property must be used solely for rugby-related purposes.
Van Wyk said: “Irrespective of what has been aired in the media, the Federation has a lawful and binding contractual agreement with the City of Tshwane; the terms of which will be adhered to and enforced, if required. The Federation specifically denied any wrongdoing and untoward conduct, as was claimed against it.”
He said the organisation categorically denies accusations against the Silver Valke Rugby Club in relation to unauthorised dealings with a private school situated at the premises of the club.
“It is, however, so that the Federation was approached by the school in the past for urgent and emergency assistance for temporary accommodation,” he said.
He said the issue was specifically raised with the relevant government stakeholders, who subsequently granted the Federation permission to temporarily accommodate the school on its premises.
“Unilaterally and without further permission the relevant school has expanded from the agreed 80 learners to an estimated group of learners around 500. Moreover, this school has arbitrarily taken occupation of further structures and land, which was again not agreed to and not previously formed part of the arrangement between the Federation and the school,” Van Wyk said.
He said the school was repeatedly notified that its permission to occupy the Federation's grounds had been revoked and that it needed to vacate the property.
However, he said, the school and its officials have neglected, refused, or failed to comply, and continue to unlawfully occupy the premises.
“As matters stand, it appears as though the Federation is being ostracised by way of public attacks as well as unjustified political influence and interference which is unduly causing prejudice and harm to the Federation and will be dealt with in an apt manner and time, as well as in the appropriate forum,” he said.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za