The Bonteheuwel Disabled Group (BDG) was allegedly put out on Tuesday by the Bonteheuwel Multi-Purpose NGO.
Yesterday David Pillay from BDG and Rushien February of the NGO had a bekgeveg outside the centre.
Pillay says they run a daycare at the centre for people with intellectual disabilities and wanted to launch a hub which required additional office space.
February said each organisation using the centre paid the committee, but that BDG was exempt as they did not have the funds.
She said that with the use of the extra office, the committee requested R50 a month from BDG to assist with security, but that BDG had missed payments in April and May and the office was given to another organisation.
“Die income, die rental wat almal betaal is ons salary. We have to raise our own salary to manage the centre. I told David I don’t want to sign a lease agreement with them because they cannot afford the office,” February explains.
But Pillay claims there was an agreement that if he fixed the electricity issues at the building, it would serve as payment. And, in addition, they did pay the R50 fee.
February says: “I have no problem with the children, but I don’t want David here.”
Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie then stepped in asking them not to argue in front of the children.
Area Central Mayco member, Siyabulela Mamkeli, confirms that the Bonteheuwel Multi-Purpose NGO manages the facility on behalf of the City.
“The City maintains the building, while the organisation sees to the day-to-day running of the facility including programming and cleaning at the facility,” Mamkeli says.
“The organisation does not have permission to charge a rental, however; we will investigate these claims.”