By Thanduxolo Jika

A R200 million proposal by the ANC’s Chief Whip in Ndlambe Municipality to develop a riverside resort in Port Alfred has been rebuffed by his fellow councillors.

At a special council meeting last week, Sipho Tandani’s plans were sent back to the ward committee for review .

Tandani, Cacadu district councillor Mlungisi Faxi and Bright Ndzima submitted the proposal in July to lease Centenary Park to develop an African-theme resort to attract tourists.

However, controversy erupted when a municipal advert appeared in two local newspapers in which calls were made for comments and objections to a lease being signed.

Adding to the row was the fact that council had not given its approval.

During last week’s meeting, Tandani had to recuse himself.

Democratic Alliance councillor and Ward 7 leader Louise Swanepoel said the proposal had now gone back to square one and invitations would be issued once the matter had been properly deliberated.

“From the council’s perspective the development has not been approved. But it had been advertised as if the council intended to give it to NFT (Tandani’s company),” said Swanepoel.

She said the committee had to evaluate the proposal in terms of its environmental impact assessment and other aspects. She added they were due to meet with the municipal manager next week to discuss the proposal.

Municipal chief financial officer Howard Dredge said the development proposal was still at an early stage. He said he did not understand why the developers had advertised prematurely for public participation.

Contacted for comment, Tandani confirmed they had made the proposal to the municipality.

He said they were willing to follow council processes because they were interested in developing the land. He was unwilling to comment further.

It was reported in a local newspaper, Talk of the Town, that during a council meeting the company’s consultant, Bev Spira, said they intended building 11 African-theme “villages”. Each village would have 10 rooms or units.

The resort would also offer 20 self- catering units, five executive suites and two honeymoon suites.

It would have an authentic African restaurant, private dining areas, entertainment areas, retail outlets, conference facilities, a wedding chapel, water park and fitness centre.

She told the council that 70% of the finance needed would be obtained from financial institutions and 30% from private investors.

Source: Daily Dispatch