Councillor’s position on creche controversy
ALEXANDRA - Councillor Chris Mabunda who is at the centre of a row over changes in lease agreement of premises accommodating the Montessori crèche on 12th Avenue has stated his position on the matter.
COUNCILLOR Chris Mabunda, who is at the centre of a row over changes in lease agreement of premises accommodating the Montessori creche on 12th Avenue, has stated his position on the matter.
The school governing body [SGB] for the creche which submitted a petition to council seeking redress, accuse him of not representing their interests, but rather those of the new lessee, a church. Also, they expressed concern that the changes to the lease agreement may result in the loss of public property which was donated to council in trust for the community.
Mabunda denied the allegations, saying people misunderstood his role which is only to facilitate and refer issues to relevant departments and entities for decisions. He confirmed receiving the petition which had no deadline for response, and, like the community, was waiting for council to respond.
Mabunda said council had made a decision before his time, in 2010, to lease out 24 early childhood development facilities, including Montessori, and after years of accommodating communities’ concerns, was only implementing that decision now.
He said the decision had been advertised in two national papers, and those who wanted to see documentary evidence, including tenders, were told to get them from council – though at a cost. He added that several meetings were held to discuss the matter in the presence of the SGB and other parties including SANCO, Alex FM, ANC, Department of Social Development, Johannesburg Property Company and the police.
“One of the meetings resolved to continue the creche at the same cost of R70 per child per month, and 49 children have returned and are continuing their learning,” he said.
“Parents who took out their children and want to be reimbursed deposits and other payments have been asked to submit requests.”
Mabunda indicated that the matter seemed to be of interest to only a small group who wanted the place, which raised issues of conflict of interest. He urged those who claim the community contributed to construct sections of the premises to provide evidence.
“I urge people to wait for council’s response to their petition so that this matter can be put to rest,” he concluded.
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