Latest news with #R71m
TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Anant Singh complains to ANC about eThekwini's 'sabotage' of film studios
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to act against eThekwini municipality officials who might be implicated in an apparent sabotage of world-renowned film producer Anant Singh's R7.5bn film studios. Singh acquired the old Natal Command defence force building along the North Beach in 2022 to make an investment of R7.5bn for the development of film and television studios and related sectors in Durban. However, the project has been stalled because the city has not yet installed water and electricity in the building, which Singh had renovated. Instead the city revalued the same property to R1bn, which Singh said was way higher than when he bought the property for R71m in 2022. Singh said this meant he would need to pay higher rates yet the building was unusable because there was no water or electricity. Speaking at the ANC engagement meeting with businesses in Durban on Tuesday, Singh told the ANC leaders that after fighting for more than 20 years to acquire the property, which he eventually received three years ago, he did not understand why eThekwini officials were sabotaging such a huge investment that would create jobs in the city. Singh said he was forced to buy a generator because the city has refused to install electricity, adding that the city has recently demanded more than R400,000 just to install an electricity meter. 'I have already lost two TV shows worth R200m which had to be recorded in Johannesburg because my studios are not yet complete because of eThekwini's inept attitude,' he said. ANC provincial task team convener Jeff Radebe expressed shock that Singh's project had not taken off, promising that the ANC would launch an investigation to find out what was happening. 'We will definitely act against the people in the city that would be found responsible for Singh's project delay,' said Radebe. eThekwini municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said: 'Since the allegations are related to a contractual matter regarding the installation of bulk infrastructure services (water and electricity), legal advice will have to be sought before responding.' Sisilana said a dispute regarding the municipal valuation of the property has been lodged by the property owner. 'However, as this matter is subject to a formal dispute resolution process in terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act, the municipality is not able to comment further at this stage. 'The matter will be adjudicated in accordance with the applicable legal framework,' said Sisilana. She said the municipal leadership has an open-door policy and continues to engage various stakeholders including business leaders on pertinent matters for the benefit of the city and its residents.
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
KZN health department says it owes service providers R1.7bn
The KwaZulu-Natal department of health is in a shambles and owes service providers R1.7bn. This comes after the provincial department was in the news for alleged medicine shortages. On Monday scores of service providers embarked on a protest march demanding their money. Some said the department had not paid them for more than a year. They included SMMEs, which are — according to legislation — supposed to be paid within a month of rendering services. DA KZN spokesperson on health Dr Imran Keeka called for consequences. 'The DA notes with concern that businesses in KwaZulu-Natal are owed an estimated R1.7bn by the provincial department of health. The staggering sum is revealed in response to a DA written parliamentary question,' said Keeka. He said the reply further indicated that, of this, R1.33bn fell within the 60-day to 90-day payment period. There were 1,519 unpaid invoices in the over 90-day period, amounting to just more than R71m. 'The DA notes that KZN health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, has always been open and forthright about her department's financial woes during portfolio committee meetings. However, such a situation — the nonpayment of suppliers on time — should not have arisen in the first place or to the point where they are affecting services., Keeka said the concern arising out of the reply was that it was very possible that small and medium sized companies in KwaZulu-Natal were the worst affected. 'Equally concerning is that the MEC and acting HOD intimated, during the same meetings, that some service providers, while paid, had not paid their staff. This had led to protests, in some instances implicating the department. However, what happens within companies once the department has concluded its business with them is beyond its control.' Keeka said the department had unfortunately adopted a 'take from Peter to pay Paul' approach in a bid to resolve some of the payment issues. 'This appears to have left some companies struggling more than others. Again, it particularly affects small businesses. Regrettably, this resulted in several suppliers gathering at the department's Pietermaritzburg head office on Monday, demanding payment.' Currently the Division of Revenue Bill, or the budget, as presented by finance minister Enoch Godongwana on March 12, is withdrawn, with provinces set to table their budgets within two weeks of May 21. Once the province's budget is tabled and certainty exists, it is expected that the situation may turn around. Keeka described the situation as dire and in need of urgent attention. The KZN health department communications unit did not respond to queries.
