The department of home affairs’ plan to relocate to Hemingways Mall has been challenged in the high court in Pretoria by the landlord of its East London branch. Blue Beacon Investments has lodged a dispute with the state over its lease. The company filed a mediation notice on Friday, a Rule 41A form, seeking the court’s approval for an independent mediator in its dispute with the department of public works, the state’s property custodian.
Rule 41A requires parties to consider mediation before or during litigation and to file notices indicating whether they agree to it. It argued the matter raised complex questions about the roles of custodian and user departments under the Government Immovable Asset Management Act. “A mediated solution could potentially resolve the impasse regarding the occupation of the premises and the validity of the lease extension without the need for protracted and costly urgent litigation,” the company said.
It proposed that mediation costs be shared equally. Home affairs, public works, their ministers and Hemingways Mall owners Hangar 18 Investments were cited as respondents. We always have a problem with the landlords … We need toilets, we need parking for staff but they ignore all that, all they want is the rent Blue Beacon’s lawyer, Sean Sim, confirmed the dispute related to home affairs’ move to Hemingways. “It’s an urgent application set down for next week.
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