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GEORGE NEWS - Georgians are hoping that when the old Hawthorndene Hotel, adjacent flats and prime land goes on sale on Friday 29 September, all troubles that have been plaguing this property will gradually disappear.
The hotel, annexures and 10 000m² of land are undoubtedly valuable and in great demand.
The George Herald's on-line story a fortnight ago elicited Facebook comments with suggestions ranging from calling in ghost busters, to the wish that the families who have been living there illegally for many years be dispensed with amicably.
Katy Booysen suggested that the elderly folk be moved to a retirement village where unemployed graduates can look after them.
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Hard times
While most of the people living in the adjoining flats are merely folk who have fallen on hard times, there were at one time hardened criminals living in the hotel's main building, and thus the property became a bone of contention.
Some Georgians took an ironic stance, like Hans van Ginkel who commented somewhat dryly, "Presumably these people can only be moved once the authorities find free, alternative accommodation for them. Welcome to DA/ANC and EFF heaven."
Diverse comments
Marlene Julyon said, "Good luck to the buyer. You are getting people along with the sale". Another reader said the squatters will have to buzz off.
Commenting on the municipal valuation of the property which at one time stood at R2,6-million, AllanChris Jonaan said, "It's a bargain." Lisa Meintjies suggested that accommodation for young people be established on the property.
Legalities
The sale by auction is at the instruction of Mazars and KPMG, the joint liquidators of Natserve Developments (Pty) Ltd and Pluscor Six (Pty) Ltd.
It will be conducted by Van Rensburg Auctions at their premises in Tamsui Industrial. The property suffered extensive fire damage on 2 July 2016, which resulted in a collapse of the roof and walls.
Drawcard
Although the old building may have to be party demolished, the extensive land with 2 600m² of buildings is undoubtedly a huge drawcard.
One woman, who is in a medical field, said she thought it would be an excellent place for the Mediclinic to be positioned.
She said, "The flats could serve as consulting rooms and the buyer could acquire the land behind the Hawthorndene, which belongs to the George Municipality - who would then have an incentive to consolidate and speed up the rezoning application."
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