In February, BCC nearly terminated its lease agreement with
Highlanders after the football club illegally sublet part of their clubhouse to
house a braai centre.
The club leased out part of the clubhouse to Bulawayo
socialite and broadcaster Babongile Sikhonjwa in 2018, which saw the
establishment of Hlabangana Lounge braai facility a year later that was
eventually closed after operating for five months following the intervention of
the local authority.
According to a February council report, other sports clubs
that are alleged to be sub-letting facilities include Queens Sports Club,
Hartsfield Rugby Ground, Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) and Busters Sports Club.
The report stated that the Highlanders clubhouse is among a
number of sports facilities owned by the local authority, which they considered
terminating the leases as their clients were violating the terms of the
agreements by engaging in unsanctioned activities.
“It was noted that council-leased sports clubs were
engaging in unauthorised activities such as live shows and ‘tshisa nyama’
(braai spots) which caused nuisances for residents in the neighbourhoods of the
facilities.
Residents complained of noise, disturbance of peace, rowdy
behaviour and other nuisances,” read part of the council minutes.
“The view of the department was that council have a re-look
at the lease agreements at an inter-departmental meeting led by housing and
community services department to map a way forward with the view of either
regularising some of the activities or cancellation of leases.
The sports clubs that have been noted to be having these
unauthorised activities are Highlanders Sports Club, Queens Sports Club,
Hartsfield Sports Club, BAC and Busters Sports Club.”
BCC director of housing and community services, Mr Dictor
Khumalo on Monday said once they are aware that a clubhouse is being sublet
without council authority, they would be forced to intervene.
“If there is a violation of lease agreement, we don’t
necessarily rush to terminate it without first engaging the other party so that
the issue is rectified. It is actually possible that it can happen without our
knowledge and as council the moment we get to know, we intervene,” he said.
“Subletting is allowed, but you need to seek council
authority in the first instance. The nature of activity should also be assessed
by council so that it doesn’t cause any nuisance and disadvantage neighbours.”
Mr Khumalo, however, refused to disclose the money council
charges for leasing out its land.
“The rentals are charged as per agreement between the two
parties. I can’t disclose that information because there will be a binding
agreement and confidentiality between two parties,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said the rentals are reviewed every year in line
with the council’s annual budget.
“Every year council reviews charges in line with the
budget. If there are any reviews, they are done from time to time.
The structures will be owned by the organisation that will
be leasing, but the land belongs to the city council and that relationship is
explained in that lease agreement including what happens at the fusion of time
in terms of ownership of the buildings,” he said.
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Mlandu Ncube said
considering the situation that is being faced by the sporting facilities, they
end up making special arrangements by sub-letting so that they can be able to
run the clubs.
Highlanders have been leasing the clubhouse, which houses
two sports bars, two training grounds, a basketball pitch for close to 40 years
from the city council.
Established in 1894, Queens Sports Club, is home to the
only Test cricket pitch in the city. Hartsfield, an international rugby venue
is being leased out to the Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board.
However, the rugby board is subletting part of the premises
to 3D events which operates Hartsfield Tshisanyama, which has been a
contentious issue over the years with council threatening to demolish the tent
erected between the two pitches.
BAC and Busters both have multi-purpose sports facilities
but have sublet part of their properties to nightclub owners — BAC Leisure and
Smokehouse respectively.
According to the council report, almost all sports clubs
had deviated from their original purpose and now sold beer and braai which was
a problem to the city.
Council departments had agreed to address the situation as
a team. They would visit the clubs as one team to effect the by-laws.
“Failure by the clubs to adhere to the by-laws would result
in the cancellation of their lease agreements. Lawlessness was prevailing in
the city mostly caused by illegal activities. Such behaviour compelled people
not to comply with regulations,” reads the council report. Chronicle
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