Trade minister snubs Oriental Plaza

Patricia Edwin | Monday February 24, 2014 15:13

 

The P70 million building was completed in December 2011 and was supposed to have started operations a few months after, but the minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgatho-Malesu put the spanner in the works when she denied them licences citing racial discrimination at the place. Makgatho-Malesu made it clear from the onset that she wanted Oriental Plaza to integrate Batswana into the complex before it could be granted licences.

Though the consultant, Sam Masunga insists they have handled everything that was required and that they have Batswana tenants, Makgatho-Malesu still insists that they have not met all the requirements.

Recently in a letter written to the minister the consultant pleaded that tenants at the plaza be exempted.

In the letter, Masunga states that they have sent numerous letters to the office of the minister dating as far back as 2012.

“We write this letter on behalf of the tenants of Oriental Plaza and the community of Francistown at large,” he wrote.

He said that it is almost four years since the building has been completed and has now turned into a white elephant and would soon be used as a haven for criminal activities. “The developer has spent a substantial amount of money in putting up the building and the financiers are now chasing after him to repay the loan that he obtained in putting up this massive structure,” he said.

Masunga further lamented that the developer and would-be tenants are investors who have been lured into this country to come and boost the economy and create employment.  He also said in his correspondence that the community of Francistown is trying to find answers from him regarding the opening of the premises.  “They expected employment once the 50 units were operational,” he added.  Masunga said that as far as he knows they have provided all the necessary information that the minister has always required.  “We now plead that you exercise your powers in terms of the Trade Act and issue these poor tenants who have signed leases and continue to pay rent with an exemption and allow them to trade for a grace period of five years after which their licences will not be renewed,” he stated.