Article re-cap
- The GOOD Party intends to lodge formal complaints with the City Manager and the Public Protector regarding the procurement process for the Good Hope Centre site.
- Brett Herron, the GOOD Party Secretary General, claims that Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis made statements in a radio interview that contradict the status of the highest bidder.
- St Johns Holdings PTY Ltd has disputed claims that they failed to meet requirements for the auction of the Good Hope Centre site.
- The GOOD Party opposes the sale of the Good Hope Centre site and argues that public land should be developed to address the housing shortage in Cape Town.
The GOOD Party intends to lodge formal complaints regarding the City of Cape Town's procurement process for the Good Hope Centre site.
GOOD Secretary-General and mayoral candidate Brett Herron announced that the party will file an objection with the City Manager and a complaint with the Public Protector. The move follows claims by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis regarding the auction of the Good Hope Centre in February.
According to Herron, the Mayor's recent radio interview statements contradicted the status of the highest bidder. The Mayor stated that the highest bidder could not meet requirements, allowing the second highest bidder, an Islamic institution, to proceed.
A letter from Pastor John Anosike of St John’s Holdings PTY Ltd addressed to the City disputes this claim. The letter states that the organisation has not failed to meet requirements and requested clarity on whether the Mayor's remarks represented the official position of the City.
The letter noted that neither the holding company nor New World Faith Ministries had received official communication from the City and were awaiting feedback to finalise the purchase. Herron argued that under the City's Supply Chain Management Policy, decisions are made by a Bid Adjudication Committee and the City Manager rather than the Mayor.
The GOOD Party expressed opposition to the sale of the Good Hope Centre site regardless of the buyer. Herron stated that public land should be developed for the public good, citing a critical housing shortage and recent Constitutional Court rulings regarding the sale of public properties.
This follows earlier local coverage of Cape Town reviews R135 million Good Hope Centre property deal.
Frequently asked questions
What formal complaints is the GOOD Party planning to lodge?
The GOOD Party intends to file an objection with the City Manager and a complaint with the Public Protector regarding the City of Cape Town's procurement process for the Good Hope Centre site, following disputes over the auction outcome.
What does Pastor John Anosike's letter dispute about the auction?
The letter from Pastor John Anosike of St John's Holdings disputes the Mayor's claim that the highest bidder failed to meet requirements. The letter states the organisation has not failed requirements and requests clarity on whether the Mayor's remarks reflect the official City position.
Who should make procurement decisions under City policy, according to the GOOD Party?
According to Herron, the City's Supply Chain Management Policy stipulates that decisions are made by a Bid Adjudication Committee and the City Manager, rather than by the Mayor alone.
What is the GOOD Party's broader position on the Good Hope Centre sale?
The GOOD Party opposes the sale of the Good Hope Centre site regardless of the buyer, arguing that public land should be developed for the public good, citing Cape Town's critical housing shortage and recent Constitutional Court rulings on public property sales.
Source: forgood.org.za
