BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Treasury and Enterprise Development grilled the Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development department, North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and Dirapeng (PTY) LTD company on the acquisition of Christiana Hotel School.

The committee found some discrepancies regarding the purchasing of the hotel school Committee chairperson, Raymond Elisha requested the NWDC to submit latest documents on the transaction of the property. He said the information like the deeds of sale; auction report and record of negotiations during the auction were missing.

Elisha also requested the copy of the provincial government’s resolution on NWDC’s acquisition of the entity. The salary of the acting CEO, Lemogang Moletsane which is R300 000 was in question. According to the reports, Moletsane’ salary is above the one of the suspended CEO, Mojalefa Nale.

Elisha said he was concerned about the latest transfer costs of R43m to purchase the hotel. The amount was augmented from the initial agreement which was R40m.

“I am not happy with the explanation on the breakdown of costs presented to us. We need a thorough written report on the costs incurred. The report should include all renovations to rooms classified as suites and all costs of removable assets,”

“The record of the deeds of sale and record of negotiations during the auctions was not available. We also need clarity on the number and types of wild animal species the game farm had when it was purchased. We have identified that the number of species presented on the pre-auction report stating assets of the hotel, versus the number of the post auction report and the evaluation report by the NWDC differs.

“We need to establish the value for money on purchasing the game farm as it only comprises of the less expensive wild species of animals as opposed to the animals such as the African Lion and the White rhinos which were once available in the farm,” he said.

The committee also demanded the previous owner’s detailed report submitted when selling the game farm.

“We want the full detailed report submitted by the previous owner. A detailed chronology of events that took place starting at the EXCO resolutions in the acquisition of NWDC entities with supporting documentation will be perfect. The costs incurred of employees from the Cookes Lake as discussed in the previous meeting and the PriceWaterHouseCoopers report. Also the assets that were on the farm during the time the owner sold it will be needed.

“We will need that report within 14 working days. The report should also include a copy of provincial government’s resolution on NWDC’s acquisition of the entity; a detailed information as to why the salary of the Acting CEO, Lemogang Moletsane is R300 000 above the one of the suspended CEO, Mojalefa Nale. A detailed information on whether any of the NWDC employees are doing business (any service whatsoever) with the entity and also information on the whereabouts of the species, the number and types of wild animal species the game farm had when it was purchased.

-TDN

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