Questions are being raised over the quality and cost of new braai stands erected in an East London holiday spot on behalf of Buffalo City Metro.
The double braai stands, which are believed to be costing the metro R10,000 a piece, were erected at Nahoon Caravan Park in the past few weeks.
Councillor for ward 18, under which Nahoon falls, Jason McDowell, met with the Daily Dispatch at the caravan site, and explained he was told the two double braai stands and the single braai stand erected at the park were “samples”.
He said the plan was to have 50 braai spots – in either double or single format – for which the metro would pay R50,000.
He confessed that he was not satisfied with what was currently on show and said he would be questioning BCM on both the price and quality of the braais as well as keeping an eye on further developments.
In a story by the Daily Dispatch last month McDowell said that the idea of braais originally raised concern with local residents who thought that they would be for use by the general public and would attract drinking, parties and noise.
These fears were alleviated when it was revealed they would be for the exclusive use of customers of the caravan park.
At the time McDowell said facilities planned for the area included “five wooden chalets planned to be built on the old camping site, which will benefit eco-tourism in the area”.
When the Daily Dispatch visited the caravan park on Thursday, which is gated, with only paying holidaymakers allowed, the braai stands showed signs of poor workmanship with cracking brick work and crumbling concrete.
McDowell said that as far as he was aware the rest of the braais, despite previous expectations, would not be ready by the holiday season due to the fact that an environmental impact assessment now needed to be conducted before the rest of the braais could be installed.
He said that he was told the caravan park was fully booked for December and would also be seeing upgrades to its ablution facilities. The toilets require a code to get in.
McDowell will be holding a meeting for residents of his ward on November 20 at 5.30pm to show the current situation regarding the braai stands and answer any questions or concerns.
Questions sent to BCM were not answered at the time of going to print...