/ 14 August 1997

Cosatu investment company bids for Aventura

THURSDAY, 12.30PM:

THE Congress of SA Trade Unions’ investment arm Kopano Ke Matla is putting in a joint bid with a Danish labour federation for state-owned Aventura Resorts, which is scheduled for privatisation this year.

It is believed that another 11 parties are interested in bidding for the company, including Genbel Securities and another union investment company.

It also emerged on Wednesday that government intends to fast-track lans claims lodged against tracts held by Aventura in a bid to remove all obstacles to the sale. Public enterprises ministry spokesman Wandile Zote said means of accelerating the land claims against Aventura are being explored with the land affairs ministry, in an attempt to settle all claims within three months.

Kopano executive director Tumelo Motsisi said the Cosatu investment company has agreed to enter a joint bid with the Danish Labour Federation’s Dansk Folkefeie, a union-owned company involved in community-based holiday resorts. He added Kopano is finalising a deal to bring in another partner.

Motsisi added, however, that Kopano believes the land claism issue is very important and the comapny will not do anything to hamper of disadvantage any community with regard to land claims.