By OBAKENG MAJE
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North West said it is concerned over allegations that Peermont, which owns the iconic Mmabatho Palms in Mahikeng, intends to relocate the casino licence to Rustenburg.
Mmabatho Palms Hotel and Casino was reduced to ashes last year during the North West Premier, Bushy Maape’s inauguration celebration. It is alleged that the fire that engulfed the hotel started in one of Maape’s rooms, where he hosted a party.
COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said the removal of the casino license will kill the economy of Mahikeng.
“We view this as an intention to kill the economy of Mahikeng and render it a ghost town. Mahikeng economy relies mostly on government service and other service-related sectors. There are no industries in that area, so the closure and the removal of the casino will leave many workers without jobs.
“The hotel has a rich history and it has been a tourist attraction for many before it burnt down. It is a known fact that tourism on its own is a creator of jobs and if this licence is moved, there will be little if no tourist activities in Mahikeng,” he said.
Konopi further said as COSATU, they also view the move of the casino to Rustenburg as duplication as there is a Mega casino situated about 40km from the town.
He calls on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to convene the provincial economic summit urgently.
“The summit must include all stakeholders in the province. The summit must develop an inclusive approach towards the transformation of the economy of the province, whereby the economic development will be spread across all four districts of the province and not to be centred in one area.
“COSATU calls on the government to reject the request by Peermont to move the license to Rustenburg but rather come up with a mechanism to rebuild the hotel as it was burnt down last year,” said Konopi.
He said if Peermont wants to move out of Mahikeng, they should do so, but leave the gambling license in Mahikeng so that it can be allocated to another operator.
The executive mayor of Mahikeng Local Municipality, Tshepiso Mphehlo shared the same sentiments. Mphehlo said they are against the closure of Mmabatho Palms Hotel and Casino.
“The planned move by Peermont to close the casino is not properly considered. Mmabatho Palms forms an integral part of the economy of Mahikeng.
“Guests from far and locally, use facilities of the hotel when visiting the city. We are currently engaged in extensive work to turnaround the poor state of service delivery in the city. This includes the engagement of stakeholders to forge relations that will deliver quality basic services to residents,” Mphehlo said.
He also calls on residents and all stakeholders to lodge objections to the closing of the casino with the North West Gambling Board.
Meanwhile, the Peermont Group, Marketing Operations Manager, Nikki Evans said: “Yes, Peermont has officially submitted an application to the North West Gambling Board for the relocation of the Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino and Convention Resort gambling licence to the Waterfall Mall, in Rustenburg.
“There are a set of documents lodged with the board which are available for public view. Regarding the staffing, the document states that the staff employed at Mmabatho Palms, will have the first right of refusal to positions available at the Waterfall Hotel & Casino.
“The staff members employed at Mmabatho Palms who do not wish to relocate to Rustenburg will be accommodated at the remaining operations at Mmabatho Palms as much as possible.”
Evans further said the majority of the additional vacant positions will first be recruited from within Peermont, Rustenburg and surrounding areas and will be aligned with transformation targets.
She added that Peermont has committed to continue the conference, food and beverage operations at Mmabatho Palms should the relocation be approved.
Peermont also owns and operates Rio Casino in Klerksdorp, which its licence was relocated from Taung Sun Hotel and Casino in Taung to Klerksdorp a few years ago.
TaungDailyNews 