The eThekwini Municipality intends to lease an open space of land in Durban North, at the intersection of Kenneth Kaunda Road and Cadogan Place. Councillors are calling for the public to be consulted over the development.
The rental of a prime piece of property for development in Durban North has drawn sharp criticism from the DA and Action SA at a council meeting on Thursday.
Both parties claim that proper processes, including transparent public consultation, were not followed. Councillors were asked to approve a 30-year lease and the permanent closure of the public open space to facilitate the development of the property for residential purposes.
The municipality stated that the property has been assessed and confirmed as not being required to provide the minimum level of basic municipal services. In accordance with the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (MATR), the municipality stated that they considered the fair market value, together with the economic and community value to be derived from the proposed transaction.
The municipality has considered the asset's fair market value and the economic and community value to be received in exchange for it, assessing the market rental at R80,000 per annum.
