Ray Nkonyeni Municipality criticises handover of properties for tourism

The National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure officially handed over 15 properties to the provincial Public Works on Monday for tourism and recreational purposes.

However, this decision has drawn sharp criticism from local officials in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, who allege that proper protocols were disregarded in the process.

The buildings, previously under the control of the municipality that is located on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, with Port Shepstone being the major town in the area, have fallen into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.

Locals believe that these properties could potentially serve as attractive tourist venues that would boost local tourism operators and generate revenue for the municipality.

The announcement stirred discontent in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality circles, with their spokesperson, Simon April, voicing concerns about the need for cooperative governance in South Africa.

“This is more than just an administrative lapse; it poses a troubling regression that jeopardises the cooperative spirit essential to the country’s democratic framework,” he stated.

April said collaboration was important and argued that the standard operational procedures required prior notification and partnership when government business occurs within a municipality's jurisdiction.

“The alleged disregard for protocol mirrors a unilateral decision-making approach reminiscent of the apartheid era, which we find particularly troubling,” he said.

The municipality called into question the legitimacy of the ministerial visit and handing over ceremony, as it cited an existing lease agreement between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and themselves that apparently governs the management of properties within the Admiralty Reserve (a strip of state-owned land).

April said that open channels of communication should be used to address any management concerns before transferring properties, and warned that neglecting the protocols raised questions about the motivation behind such government actions.

Despite these tensions, the municipality remained determined to advance its tourism ambitions within the Admiralty Reserve.

April highlighted the municipality's record of accolades in the tourism industry, particularly for its award-winning Blue Flag beaches that showcase a commitment to environmental ethics and sustainable tourism.

In spite of the dispute, he appealed to the Public Works and Infrastructure ministry to reconsider its approach. April urged that reconciliation should stem from mutual respect and transparency rather than a top-down, “big brother” mentality.

In response, Minister Dean Macpherson defended the decision, stating that the department acted within its rights and had issued a valid termination notice regarding the properties, which was effective from August 3.

“I find it odd that they (the municipality) claimed ignorance while discussing the matter in council,” he remarked, and expressed frustration at the municipality's alleged disengagement on this issue.

Macpherson claimed that his department had made several attempts to communicate with the municipality directly, but to no avail. “They had three whole months to engage, and they didn’t do anything. We’ve reached out multiple times,” he stated, and emphasising that the department's plans would proceed without the municipality's involvement if required.

He also assured the public that the handover adhered to all legal and contractual guidelines and promised support for business owners to ensure that the properties were reopened swiftly for tourism.

Local stakeholders responded positively to the announcement and expressed optimism that it would revitalise the tourism sector, bolster small businesses, and open new job opportunities in their community.

Macpherson believes that the initiative could serve as a benchmark for other provinces, demonstrating how national and provincial governments can collaborate effectively to bring tangible benefits to local communities.

DAILY NEWS