Public Land and Property Leases

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3000 · 22 June 2022 · Stellenbosch Municipality

On 22 June 2022 a Special Council meeting of Stellenbosch Municipality (item 9.2.3, resolved nem con) adopted an amended System of Delegations effective 1 July 2022.

Sources: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Stellenbosch Municipality Mayoral Committee agenda 25 March 2026, item 7.3.2: Review and rescission of several in-principle approvals to lease municipal owned properties (pp. 198-207 excerpt) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — agenda p.207, para 6.4

Counter-evidence: Based on the municipality's own mayoral committee item quoting the resolution; the 2022 resolution and its Appendix 1 are not in the public record.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3002 · 27 June 2025 · National Treasury

National Treasury (Chief Director: MFMA Implementation, Wayne McComans) wrote to Stellenbosch Municipality on 27 June 2025, responding to a municipal request received 19 May 2025 on a proposed long-term lease of Farm 502L to the Stellenbosch Flying Club. The letter said it was unclear whether alternative proposals were received, that the information statement was not provided, that the current lease agreement does not address all the minimum terms in MATR regulation 45, that the council item merely noted aircraft-noise objections, and advised the municipality to review its property policy, under which both Council and the Executive Mayor may decide on deviations from public competition, against SCM regulation 40 read with MFMA sections 115 and 117.

Source: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — agenda pp.209-211 (Annexure 1 to item 7.3.2); p.198 (item's 'May 2025' dating)

Counter-evidence: The Mayco item (p.198) says the comments were received 'in May 2025'; the letter itself is dated 27 June 2025 and refers to the municipality's letter received 19 May 2025. The letter as reproduced does not itself use the words 'unlawful' or say EM85 must be removed; that characterisation is the administration's (see the corresponding claim on the administration's characterisation). Letter notes the existing lease was concluded in 2021 at R30 080 (inclusive of VAT; period not stated), 6% escalation from March 2022, and a 2017 valuation of R20.3m. The Mayco item (p.198) misdates the letter to 'May 2025'. Note: National Treasury gives views and recommendations (MATR reg 35(b)) which Council must consider (reg 36); it does not approve leases.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3006 · 25 March 2026 · Stellenbosch Municipality

The municipality attributed the failure to finalise public participation or return items for these approvals to 'severe staff shortages in the Property Management Department over the last four years'.

Sources: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Stellenbosch Municipality Mayoral Committee agenda 25 March 2026, item 7.3.2: Review and rescission of several in-principle approvals to lease municipal owned properties (pp. 198-207 excerpt) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — agenda pp.198-199 para 4; p.201 para 6.2.1

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3007 · 25 March 2026 · Stellenbosch Municipality

The 25 March 2026 item recommended that the EM85 delegation be removed with immediate effect and that the Property Management Department immediately update the property management policy, bringing the 12 items back once the policy is finalised.

Sources: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Stellenbosch Municipality Mayoral Committee agenda 25 March 2026, item 7.3.2: Review and rescission of several in-principle approvals to lease municipal owned properties (pp. 198-207 excerpt) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — agenda pp.199-200, para 5(c),(d),(f)

Counter-evidence: No Council resolution in the records cited for this claim records the adoption or rejection of these recommendations.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3008 · 25 March 2026 · Stellenbosch Municipality

The municipality stated that because the leases will not be implemented, no income will be received for some of these properties; it did not quantify the amount.

Sources: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Stellenbosch Municipality Mayoral Committee agenda 25 March 2026, item 7.3.2: Review and rescission of several in-principle approvals to lease municipal owned properties (pp. 198-207 excerpt) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — agenda p.206, para 6.3

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3011 · 26 June 2026 · Western Cape Department of Local Government; Western Cape Provincial Treasury

MEC Bredell's spokesperson Wouter Kriel told Eikestadnuus (26 June 2026) that there was no conclusion yet on whether there was serious malpractice or maladministration and that the MEC was still awaiting Provincial Treasury's assessment and the Legal Services review. No outcome had been published by 29 October 2026.

Source: Stellenbosse munisipale transaksies dán bekyk, sê LUR-woordvoerder (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — article body (Kriel quotes)

Counter-evidence: Single outlet relaying a spokesperson's statement. The absence of a published outcome by 29 October 2026 is a limit of the public record, not proof that no outcome exists.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3013 · 31 March 2025 · Stellenbosch Municipality

Eikestadnuus reported (31 March 2025) that objections lodged in the public participation process included the Van der Stel Sport Council, Friends of Stellenbosch Mountain, 13 individuals and a petition with 1 340 signatures.

Source: Stellenbosch FC gets Van der Stel complex, despite strong opposition (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — article body

Counter-evidence: Single outlet; the 1 340 figure is the outlet's own. SMF News reported 1 347 signatures (search snippet, not archived).

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved Figure: stage unknown CLM-3014 · 21 June 2024 · Stellenbosch Municipality

Stellenbosch Municipality tendered the Transvalia Complex (erven 825, 1123, 1133, 1128, 1134, 1142 and 1160, Dorp Street) under Tender B/SM 111/24 (closing 26 August 2024) for tourism-related redevelopment on a long-term lease of not more than 30 years subject to Council approval, retaining 143 public parking bays; the combined 2021 municipal valuation was approximately R23.27 million.

Source: Tender B/SM 111/24: Re-development and Lease of Transvalia Properties (tender document with adverts and drawings) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · archived copy of Tender B/SM 111/24: Re-development and Lease of Transvalia Properties (tender document with adverts and drawings) (opens in a new tab) · details — bid notice; specifications printed pp.46-48 (PDF pp.48-50) (paras 1.2-1.4, 2.3-2.4, 3.1)

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3016 · 23 February 2022 · Stellenbosch Municipality

At a Special Council meeting on 23 February 2022 (item 8.11.2, nem con) Stellenbosch Council confirmed that Eikestad multi-level parking would be done through a public-private partnership and resolved that, given the PPP project life cycle, the parking be leased out on a short-term basis until the PPP process is finalised, subject to public comment and a final Council decision.

Source: 25th Council meeting 2024-08-23, item 10.6.2: Request for approval of the Eikestad Parking Public Private Partnership Feasibility Study (with Annexure 1 feasibility report) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — item 10.6.2 agenda p.8, para 6.6 (Special Council 2022-02-23 item 8.11.2 (e)-(h))

Counter-evidence: Quoted as a previous resolution in a 2024 Council item; the 2022 minutes are not in the public record.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved CLM-3017 · 19 August 2022 · Stellenbosch Municipality

Municipal Notice 96/2022 invited public comment and alternative proposals, by 19 August 2022, on a proposal to lease the Eikestad Parking Area to Eikestad Mall Management on a short-term basis with an option of annual renewal until the PPP process is finalised.

Source: Municipal Notice No. 96/2022: Notice for public comment – short-term lease of Eikestad Parking Area, Stellenbosch CBD (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · archived copy of Municipal Notice No. 96/2022: Notice for public comment – short-term lease of Eikestad Parking Area, Stellenbosch CBD (opens in a new tab) · details — Notice 96/2022 paras 2, 3.4, 3.5

Counter-evidence: No record cited here shows whether a lease was concluded, its rental and term, or the approving body.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved Figure: stage unknown CLM-3018 · 23 August 2024 · Stellenbosch Municipality

The Eikestad Parking PPP feasibility study tabled at Council on 23 August 2024 proposed a 498-bay multi-storey build-operate-transfer facility on the Eikestad open parking area, built and run by a private party for about 25 years, with an estimated construction cost of R99.4 million (excl. VAT) and an initial investment that 'may be more than R 124.1 million'; final National Treasury views were still awaited.

Source: 25th Council meeting 2024-08-23, item 10.6.2: Request for approval of the Eikestad Parking Public Private Partnership Feasibility Study (with Annexure 1 feasibility report) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details — item pp.1-4 (BOT, ~25 years); feasibility study at agenda p.29 (498 bays), p.34 (R124.1m), p.43 (R99 439 000 excl. VAT); p.10 (final NT views awaited)

Counter-evidence: No copy of Council's resolution on the item is in the public record; MM's recommendation stresses approval of the study is not approval of the garage. Public objections on strategy alignment, traffic, heritage and transparency recorded in the item. National Treasury gives views and recommendations under MFMA s120 (TVR1); the item's phrase 'should National Treasury grant its approval' (p.10) is the item's own wording.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved Figure: stage unknown CLM-3107 · Stellenbosch Municipality

Audited rental income from municipal fixed assets was about R11-12m a year between 2021/22 and 2024/25 (R12.2m, R12.4m, R11.1m, R11.7m).

Source: National Treasury Municipal Money API: Income & expenditure (Table A4 / v2) annual aggregates for WC024 by item, financial year and amount type (budget stages and audited) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · archived copy of National Treasury Municipal Money API: Income & expenditure (Table A4 / v2) annual aggregates for WC024 by item, financial year and amount type (budget stages and audited) (opens in a new tab) · details — item 1400, AUDA FYE2022-2025

Counter-evidence: Not broken down by property; income forgone through the 12 rescinded approvals is not quantified.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

VerifiedEditor-approved Figure: stage unknown CLM-3110 · 30 June 2025 · Stellenbosch Municipality

At 30 June 2025 Stellenbosch Municipality's property rental debtors stood at R33.1 million gross, of which R32.4 million (about 98%) was provided for as impaired, leaving R0.74 million net.

Sources: Stellenbosch Municipality Audited Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025 (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Report of the Auditor-General to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and the council on Stellenbosch Municipality, year ended 30 June 2025 (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · archived copy of Report of the Auditor-General to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and the council on Stellenbosch Municipality, year ended 30 June 2025 (opens in a new tab) · details — AFS note 5.2; AGSA para 8

Counter-evidence: Debtor-level detail (which leases) not disclosed.

Official response: None recorded yet.

Last checked 29 October 2026

DisputedEditor-approved CLM-3003 · 25 March 2026 · National Treasury; Stellenbosch Municipality

The wording of this disputed allegation is withheld from this edition while the dispute is unresolved.

Sources: Agenda: Mayoral Committee Meeting 2026-03-25 (incl. item 7.3.2 review and rescission of in-principle approvals to lease municipal properties) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details; Stellenbosch Municipality Mayoral Committee agenda 25 March 2026, item 7.3.2: Review and rescission of several in-principle approvals to lease municipal owned properties (pp. 198-207 excerpt) (original, opens in a new tab) ↗ · details

Last checked 29 October 2026