The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) is going ahead with selling one of the city’s iconic community sports venues, Marks Park.

Reports tabled before the City of Johannesburg council reveal advanced plans by the JPC to sell the sprawling property, which according to the municipality was previously utilised for cricket training and practice session and hosting of cricket matches by the Protea Sports Club.

“The property comprises of a club-house, tennis courts, bowling greens and a couple of other structures and is utilised for recreational purposes and to host concerts and events from time to time. The property is in close proximity to the West Park cemetery, Emmarentia Dam and residential properties.

Due to its location, the sale could attract more development investment and optimal use of the property,” reads the report. According to the municipality, the property value is in excess of R10 million and the updated valuation will be done prior to the use and leasing of the property.

The council ordered that since the fair market value of Marks Park exceeded R10m, the city manager must be authorised to conduct a public participation process as envisaged in terms of the municipality’s supply chain management policy for land and Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations.

In terms of the regulations, the participation process be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the above regulations. In addition, there must be an invitation of the local community and other interested parties to submit comments or representations and solicit the view and recommendations of the National Treasury and the Gauteng provincial treasury on the matter.

The sale must also be in compliance with the Municipal Systems Act by publishing the notification through the media, in a local newspaper(s) published in the area of jurisdiction of the city, in a newspapers circulating in its area of jurisdiction and determined by the city as a newspaper of record, or by means of radio broadcasts covering the area of its jurisdiction.

JPC must also submit a report within 60 days after the public participation process, advising whether the capital asset is needed to provide a minimum level of basic municipal services as well as the fair market value of the asset and the economic and community value to be received in exchange for the capital asset.

After public participation has been concluded, all affected stakeholders are notified and updated in writing.

“Comments from other departments/municipal entities/ward councillor, where applicable, are received and if there are no objections for the intended lease and that the properties are not needed for the provision of basic municipal services, a lease agreement may be entered into,” the city proposed.

Marks Park has a portion of the property which could be developed into a multi functional sporting facility comprising of tennis, netball, five-a-side soccer, basketball with medical facilities and other related facilities.

JPC said the property is a non-core capital asset and it is therefore recommended that it be sold or leased on a long-term basis.

“The market value will be determined by an independent valuer. Since the market value is estimated to exceed R10m, a public participation process in compliance with the requirements of Section 19 of the Supply Chain Management Policy for Land and Sections 34 and 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations needs to be undertaken.

“It is requested that council approves the request to undertake a public participation process in compliance with the requirements of Sections 34 and 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations” the city proposed.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za

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