The De Mond saga continues. The public has been informed that POINT Caravan from Mossel Bay has been awarded the tender. Info on OM website confirms there were 4 tenders, 2 non-compliant with BEE. The tender document heavily suggests (pretty much demands) that the site is suitable for 250 beds via chalets, a 50 person hotel, a conference centre, ability to accommodate large tour groups, sport and recreation facilities which include swimming pool/s, tennis court/s, has 2 slipways and so on – in the words of the tender: a premium site, close to Cape Town, ideally situated next to a pristine estuary, beach and a nature reserve…lending itself to a world class holiday resort.
What do the people of the greater Hermanus say about that? Nothing. They have not been consulted. The last input was in 2012 after a feasibility study, by 4 respondents…reportedly.
The matter is further complicated by the fact that a MAYCO member, chair of the investment portfolio, is a partner in an unrelated business with the POINT CARAVAN entity. The story goes, that this member declared this relationship and the POINT entity did the same in their application.
The story continues that there was a stalemate in the awarding committee and the MM, knowing about the perceived conflict of interest, as accounting officer, signed off in favour of POINT. The MM is also chair of the entity that would hear disputes. Now imagine this being an ANC-run municipality. Can you imagine the outcry? Of course you can….
The tender document calls for a high-quality site plan with the tender. The Mayor and MM say they have no idea what is proposed. How?
The MAYCO voted to support the granting of a 45-year lease, to council. Council is slated to approve this on the 25 September.
What the hell is going on?
The Mayor and MM say all Public Participation requirements have been met – this is vehemently disputed by a large section of the community. So much so, that an e-mail has been sent, on the 25 July, to all councillors, the mayor, MM and property department, saying: if the council votes to approve the leases, this would be illegal. This opinion is supported by the concurring opinion of not one, but two Senior Council! There has been no response to this e-mail nor was it mentioned during the said MAYCO meeting. Has this very serious opinion even been discussed within the Ivory Tower? We do not know. If council then votes to approve said leases, the only recourse left to the citizenry, is to approach the courts.
This is the Autocratic Alliance in full cry…Potentially a massive concrete jungle high-end “world-class” development on the most sought after and prime site in Hermanus, ecologically sensitive, gifted to the public for use as a resort, not, one could argue, for maximum extraction of profit for a private entity.
Will the public finally wake up and object to the complete disconnect between the OM and the public as they ride roughshod over the desires and wishes of ALL the diverse communities in our region?
The crux question further, being this: should a business partner of a sitting councillor, a chair of an exceptionally important Portfolio and thus MAYCO member, be allowed to tender for probably the most valuable and prime site in the OM portfolio, or for any business dealings with the OM, for that matter?
I suspect the overwhelming majority of informed residents would vote a resounding NO!
Peter Hodgskin
HERMANUS
We would like to know exactly was is planned.
A resounding NO to this contract being awarded
Definately a big NO!
Absolutely no , it is clear Hermanus ‘is FOR SALE ‘
NO MORE 😡
No, no. There is a person in Council that’s is also involved. I will not agree. To this at any time. Take this sight back to what it use to be.
No
ABSOLUTELY NO!! Transparency is key , public participation cant be after the fact – this is outrageous –
No, no. Turning our beloved Hermanus into a Hermanus metropolis, through contracts that is not open to or without public real, not fake participation.
Our water resources, sewerage plants, our biodiversity. Were there any studies made?
Only the contractors and mun. Councillor will benefit.
I am for open for well researched developments, but that will cost money…..
5 out of the 7 mayoral committee members are unelected proportional appointees.
https://www.overstrand.gov.za/about-us/mayoral-office/mayoral-committee/
It’s a big NO from me.
There is something none transparent and underhanded in this situation.
This is also not Mosselbaai and we do not consent to messing our town up for individual greed!
This land should be reserved and protected and used as it was written in the will of the person who left it for Hermanus!
Reeks of a fraudulent and suspect tender!
How can we stop this from going forward?
No – the whole tender process needs to be revised towards transparancy and consultation and benefit for the community precint which it forms part of
An appalling controversy dragging on for some 16 years now. The will of the original owner is being undermined and the council is entirely out of touch with the entire electorate. The proximity of the players in this latest saga is questionable and the compromised mayco is compromised by a leader that is tainted too. There is no trust between the citizenry and leaders. The rest of the council is silent despite clear communication from the wards that this is not wanted.
This transaction is suspect and smacks of corruption and buddy favouring.
It’s made even worse by the fact that the same dodgy tender process with the same prople involved, has happened at Fisherhaven with the only site available for development to the benefit of the local community- Erf 775 (Lake Marina Yacht Club) – being awarded to the same Point Caravan Resorts
No no no
According to our laws a councillor declaring should be available to the public, there is no such declaration, that I’ve seen as yet it should be available on the muni website, there should be council meeting notes on it. They always talk about declaring but we haven’t seen the proof of the declaring, who did he declare to? Because we can all declare to God but this is a municipality we are talking about now. That’s the first point. Second point. A councillor may have tenders but not at the same municipality where he is working. So that declaring excuse they always come up with is utter rubbish. They act as if the laws of this country don’t apply to them.
Short answer is a definitive no. All if the above contain exactly why not. We have enough problems in Hermanus as it is. Cannot afford to grab some more. As I understand it the gift was made with specific instructions! Follow that or this will have to be decided in expensive law cases.
The whole process appears to be flawed.
Absolutely No!
We need public servants to lead with integrity, transparency and inclusivity.
Definitely NO!
Absolute nonsense We the people of Hermanus needs a open policy and therefor a public participation is the only way forward or start the tender proses over and include the residance this time
No. This stinks to high heaven. I’d like to know how, if we in Hermanus did not hear or know about these tenders up for award, how did a company in Mossel Bay find out? Hmm. I wonder if there’s a link?
NO no No
So. Smacks of collusion ❗
Definitely a NO!!!
Definitely not, no public participation, no transparency and most importantly conflict of interest of awarding the tender.
This whole tender process is unacceptable and illegal!
Conflict of interest and no public participation.
Defnite No, this is our Hermanus and not reserced for the wealthy and rich to come and enjoy themselves which excludes the locals. Also how a councilour us involved in the tender….Not transparent
Definate No. as is we cant handle the traffic and the influx from the North
Definitely a NO!!!!!!
Definitely NO…!!!
Public participation is required…?
Definitely a big NO!!!! Why was there no public participation? Cancel this tender! 😕
A huge NO. No doubt there is corruption involved. Transparency absolutely required and there must be consequences for those involved if any of the conditions in the original will conditions have been arbitrarily ignored by the dictators in Magnolia Street.
A massive NO from me.
This tender and piece of land are covered in controversy- for many years now. From what one reads it’s been straight out bungling by OM – since the Pohl group fiasco. Bin the tender, cards on the table, create a working group to follow correct processes with public participation. The working group should be made up of OM and elected members of the public (50/50). The OM has currently lost the trust of the public on this one
Smacks of corruption. No transparency from the Overberg municipality. No public participation which is law. A definite No from me!
No for me!!!
And forget me voting for the DA, if this is how they conduct themselves then I’ll encourage my family and friends to rather vote for the opposition.
No please not. Look at aireal view of Mossel Bay Caravan site as an example.
No, no, NO !!! Lots of fishy business going on in this town, and I don’t mean at the harbour.
Stem saam…neeee vir hierdie tender. Ja vir die rede waarom hierdie grond aan die munisipaliteit geskenk is, jare gelede!!! Hou op om ons mooi dorp in ‘n “konkreet jungle” te verander.
Hier is ook nie genoeg water om in te mors nie.
No, certainly not. It appears that this tender is tainted with irregularities and reeks of nepotism. There has been no public involvement of information sharing. Before the elections, the DA. espoused good governance and transparency. How could the DA survive a saga like this?
Good point ! !
Geen deursigtigheid is n resep vir korrupsie, ons water dam kan nie nog ontwikkelinge toe laat nie, De bos dam was gebou in 1970 rond. Dit is nie vergroot, so geen ontwikkeling nie. NEE. En dan is een van die raadslede betrokke by die maatskappy wat tender ontvang het. Botsing van belangge, so bedank. Ons weet wie die persoon is.
Big No from me.
We need public participation and want to know exactly what is planned.
I vote NO !
The whole saga stinks of internal corruption – using privileged information from being a member of municipal council to enrichment oneself.
A conventional caravan park means attracting crowds, parties, loud music and unruly behavior. Unfortunately this is the reality of crowed caravan parks.
I propose that Cape Nature takes over the De Mond land and runs it as per an upmarket nature conservation park i.e. limited number of chalets/caravan sites for nature lovers in pristine environment where the nature appreciation is foremost.
NO again to the Point Caravans tender, but a huge YES to a Capenature initiative to add value to our beloved Voelklip and Hermanus.
I also say NO
The tender process seems flawed and questionable.
Has an environmental impact study been done?
BIG NO!!!!!!! No public participation…Whole SAGA reeks of corruption…Conflict of interest and lies upon lies…Wake up Hermanus residents and ratepayers…Absolutely HUGE NO GO!!!!!
Definitely No. There is been no public conciliation and the laid down procedures have not been adhere to.
I have fighted, all by myself, years and years for de Mond! A piece of land that was left for recreational purposes for the people of Hermanus! In 2014 people that lived on de Mond were chased off like dogs of which most then moved to Paradise Park With the eviction by OM on de Mond a lady died because of the stress She had nowhere to go! Now rotten Nothing left!
No no. There was no public participation. Absolutely No from me.
Surely a no to this-there’s a conflict of interest and as such the tender has been unlawfully awarded but the mayor will
Push it through instead of being independent and following due process-it’s sad but we are seemingly no better off than been run by the ANC-very sad indeed
Regarding De Mond and Bot River caravan park re-development I strongly disagree with the total lack of proper public participation, and apparent disregard for due process. Arrogant officials are not good officials. Connected people must 1. Declare their interests fully, and
2. Be either excluded or kept totally at arms length, and
3. NOT be given an inside track by the Municipality..
No from me
Conflict of interest In giving the tender, no proper communication and transparency.
I vote for a well run Caravan Park, run by Cape Nature….No to the suggestion of hotel etc etc as per the tender.
No, no ,no. This should and must never happen.
DisgrAceful.
Definitely NO something smelly there. I’d OM have such a wonderful reputation winning awards. Why isn’t their tender process squeaky clean too. This is shameful.
No!!!! There has been no public participation and the mere fact that Clinton Lerm is the business partner of successful tender, is unethical and needs to be rejected by council.
All we want is open and honest communication by the OM council to the ratepayers . The ratepayers surely should have their say before tenders are awarded! The OM communication should be clear and concise
– on their website
– in the press
– on the monthly rates invoice
– auditorium communication
If this does not happen then the people will become suspicious- and rightly so !
Big NO!!
Definite No .
Please follow the correct process and award the tender fairly .
Expect better from the DA
The Overstrand Municipality leadership is completely out of touch with its constituency. Successfully alienated by Mayor Rabie.
Ethics, transparency and accountability are not part of their vocabulary.
The entire tender process should be halted. Instead, ratepayers must demand a forensic audit into supply chain management by a credible independent authority (NOT the Auditor General).
Agreed Errol. I will support whatever action you deem necessary.
It is essential we see the plans and proposals. The site is uber sensitive. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hermanus and if this development is insensitive we will be sorry forever. Also is this a leasehold tender ? What does Hermanus get out of it?
A fish rots from the head….
Patently flawed process. Perhaps the even bigger concern should be the Mayor’s obsession with development. Hermanus is losing what little charm remains. Was an EIA (and SEA) done on the proposal? A “sweetheart report”, perhaps?
Oh Definitely a NO! Appart from destroying our beautiful ecology and conservation efforts to replace it with concrete, our water and electrical systems can’t handle more pressure, it is already an issue, not even touching on the impact on the roads and traffic! It will destroy our entire calm town, Hermanus is known for it’s quaint, relaxing vibe and peaceful beauty. Imagine current holiday seasons and the messes left behind on our beaches, coastal paths and in town because of outsiders lack of respect now ad a few thousand more?? What will be left to enjoy about our town… and there are SO many questionable points on how it has even gotten here, residents have been trying to get feedback for years and are being ignored flat out, that is some seriously dodgey dealings…. where is our mayor and council when we are asking for answers to serious questions that impact the lives of the people making this town run and profitable??
What was the criteria for awarding this tender apart from price and BEE compliancy?
A BIG NO from me. Too many irregularities in the OM’s tender award. No proposals were drawn up and no public participation was ever had.
Too many irregularities and suspicious behavior
I wonder if this develepment (as there was no public participation since 2011) will only be for the affluent people focusing on foreign tourist with prices thats exclude the locals.
Why is the development plan such a secret?
That is EXCATLY how CoCT operate every time there are a big tender construction project in Cape Town!
Shocking that the INCOME generated from KLEIN RIVIER LAGOON PARK whom has been letting from the Municipality for over 40 years ( now has to form part of De Mond ) Point Caravan will pay 5 times less per square meter that what the Klein Rivier section is currently paying!!!
The income from Klein Rivier will now directly go into the pocket of Point Caravan ?? Who has 2 years before developing – it is a shame that this income is used as a drawing card for the tender – why can this income not be implemented for the residents of Hermanus eg the cliff paths etc ( which are not financially supported by the Municipality )
Klein Rivier lagoon Park , the Yacht club and DE VETTE Mossel has been screwed over by the municipality.
WE DEMAND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION !!!!!
I actually question how the valuer derived at the rental income in 2022 asthe market price ( as mentioned in the Mayco meeting held in August 2024). Do they have offices in the Overstrand?
And what businesses did he use as basis/comparitive (as that is how a valuer calculate the market value…the potential income generating should be considered impartially)
Was his ‘valudation’ known to al the interested bidders?
Did OM set a minimum price for the rental? Curios what they considered a fair price and how the feasibility done in 2011 was applicable in 2024? Or are new ones available? I know the apllication to also include a hotel on this area was only in 2019.
As a long standing resedent of Hermanus I would have thought that the municipality would be transparent, accountable and ethical it seems that it is not part of their vocabulary. I vote “NO” lets save Klein river lagoon park, De mond and the Yacht club from becoming another commercially exploited entity by the municipality due to greed. “WE WANT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION!!”
Absolutely not.
Absolutely not in agreement with lease being awarded.