Illegal gambling operations are costing Sun City around R5 million a month in lost revenue, Sun City Management told North West MEC for Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho on Friday.
MEC Rosho who was representing Premier Thandi Modise in the bilateral meeting held at The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City welcomed the commitment by Sun City Resort Director of Operations, Geoff Mabote that the resort will be expanding its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) to assist the province to meet its infrastructure development priorities.
The Provincial government and Sun City Resort also agreed that a produce market earmarked for development would provide eggs, vegetables and other products and also create jobs and empowerment for local communities.
As part of its CSI programme, the resort has built a police station and a clinic and houses for destitute members from nearby communities and is currently engaged in electrification and road repairs project to improve safety along roads leading to it.
The organisation has also established a brick making facility that staff members had volunteered their services to produce bricks used to build licensing office for Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
Tourism at the resort which employs around 5000 people and has an annual turnover of R1,2 billion is boosted by the malaria free Pilanesburg Game Park. Management announced that upgrades and expansion of conference facilities are among some of its short to medium term plans.
Rosho assured Mabote and his delegation that the provincial government will do everything in its power to crackdown on illegal gambling operations and that roads leading to the resort are part of the 27 roads targeted for major revamp and that work on them will commence in the current financial year.
She urged Sun City Management to expedite resolution of disciplinary matters related to allegations of racism and labour issues raised by COSATU to ensure that the valuable asset is not embroiled in controversy.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 086 620 4802
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Sun City loses millions to illegal gambling
Province
