City prepares to host its first online auction

THE eThekwini Municipality, in partnership with Auction Specialist, will hold its first online auction from tomorrow until Friday.

A selection of vehicles and redundant assets, including computers, laptops, printers and furniture will be auctioned. The viewing will continue today in Springfield and the registration for online bidding will close at midday.

Msawakhe Mayisela, the city’s spokesperson, said that according to the auctioneer there were more than 100 people that registered. He said the numbers were set to rise by the cut-off time.

“We have 125 light and heavy motor vehicles on auction. We have a further 90 lots of recyclable goods, including IT equipment and furniture. The auction is open to people of all race groups,” said Mayisela.

He said the proceeds from the auction would contribute to the city’s revenue base and that they were planning four auctions a year. Mayisela added that the evaluation of the vehicles and equipment was determined through an independent assessment.

Political parties had mixed reactions to the auction.

Narend Singh, the IFP chief whip in Parliament, said it was good that the city was auctioning its redundant assets.

“These are the items that they do not require anymore, and it will help boost their coffers. They should also look at auctioning property and buildings that they no longer require,” said Singh.

Mlebuka Hlengwa, the EFF’s regional chairperson, said: “This auction is because elections are around the corner

“We think that it is a stunt by a certain political party and the municipality to show some sort of transparency to the community. Previously, these auctions have been done in secret locations without the community knowing. The EFF is not interested in this auction.”

Nicole Graham, the DA eThekwini caucus leader, said: “This (the auction) should be the same as with land the city is not using. The issue we have is that the city has been very clear that both the release of land and other upliftment programmes are only open to African citizens. An example of this is the African traders receiving discounts while the Indian traders were sidelined.

“The item that came to council indicated that the auction will only be opened to African citizens. The city has now said that it will be open to everybody. If this is the case, the city needed to amend the item that was brought to council. At that time, the city management went to the extent of explaining why the exclusion of other races was legal in their view.

“We also had an indication before that an auction like this happened and the city denied it. I think there is too little transparency. People know we are close to the election, so they rather spin the truth rather than being open about what is happening. We do not support this.”

Nhlakanipho Ntombela, spokesperson for the ANC in KZN, referred the POST to Bheki Ntuli, from eThekwini regional leadership. Despite numerous attempts, Ntuli could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.