With the Wild Coast Sun’s casino licence set to expire in August next year, the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board has only received one bid proposal: from Sun International itself.
This was revealed by board spokesperson Monde Duma last week.
The AmaMpondo King Mpondo- mbini Sigcau earlier this month objected to Sun International’s bid proposal for the Wild Coast Casino.
Duma said the king was given time to make his submission to the board.
‘There are discussions between the board and the king’s representatives,’ he said.
Contacted for comment, Sigcau referred inquiries to his legal representative, who could not be reached for comment. The Wild Coast Sun’s casino license expired on August 31, 2009.
The group’s proposal includes a R340 million upgrade to the resort.
Sun International promised to respond to media inquiries this week.
The king earlier wrote a letter to the board on May 30, in which he stated that the royal family and amaMpondo nation had been excluded in Sun International’s application.
He described the hotel group’s black economic empowerment partner as “insignificant”.
Sigcau also said that an amount of R30000 – supposed to have been paid by Sun International into a trust called the Qaukeni Trust for the amaMpondo nation – had never materialised.
Source: Dispatch.co.za
