Bare facts of illegal petition against Teazers
The relocation of Teazers to Ventre Centre is not illegal, as a so-called anti-Teazers petition states.
The petition in question that has been doing its round in Boksburg, has caused uproar as it consists of unsubstantiated facts, while also includes the contact details of individuals and institution without authorisation.
Some individuals and institutions whose contact details shamelessly appear on the document are the Boksburg Advertiser’s editor Riaan Engelbrect; DA ward councillor Benno Robinson; Ventre Centre manager Deon Kilian and Boksburg North SAPS Col Makama.
The Advertiser has it on good authority that these individuals or institutions are not related to the petition and cannot be associated with it in any way. This includes the newspaper.
Other individuals and institutions whose contact details appear on the document are Teazers MD Paul de Jager, Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele and the ANC Women’s League.
The person responsible for the petition is unknown.
Laerskool Concordia, whose name appears on the petition, does oppose the opening of the club just down the road from the school.
According to school principal, Christo Lodder, they first wanted to support the petition but then decided to completely withdraw the school from anything that has to do with the petition or Teazers.
“The unknown author of this document quotes my name and telephone number without my consent. This is illegal and unfair to drag me into this campaign without my permission,” says Lodder.
“I want to state that this unknown person that delivers this letter at our school is out of line, and is abusing my name and goodwill. I am not personally involved in any campaign.”
Lodder now fears that everyone has his contact number and that his family might be harassed by the public.
“I have already gained legal advice and will act accordingly as soon as I know the identity of this person,” says Lodder.
He is considering changing his number.
DA ward councillor, Benno Robinson, says that the anti-Teazers document that’s been widely distributed, does not meet the standards of a legal petition.
He says that a complete petition consists of the person’s name and surname, ID number, address and signature.
The ward councillor must also facilitate the petition.
Robinson says that one of the processes the owner of a new company must go through before opening is to submit a rezoning application to the municipality. He also denies the DA’s involvement in the petition.
According to Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, such an application is not necessary for the opening of Teazers at Venter Centre, as the current zoning is for ‘business three’ purposes.
He says a Consent Use Application was approved in 1996 for the use of the property for the purpose of a ‘place of amusement’ in the form of a night club subject to various conditions.
“The Oxford English Dictionary defines a night club as a club that is open at night, typically having a bar and disco or other entertainment. The same dictionary also defines striptease as a form of entertainment,” says Gadebe.
“From a town planning point of view, the opinion is, therefore, held that the current land use rights on the subject property does make provision for the proposed use.”
Gadebe does mention that the current land use rights do, however, have minor restrictions such as restricting the place of amusement to a maximum area of 750sq/m, and restricting the operating hours to between 6pm and 6am.
The MD of Teazers, Paul de Jager, is heavily disgusted about the petition aiming to boycott his business.
He says that all the relevant local government departments inspected the premises, while all relevant documentation that include approvals and licenses have been supplied.
“Everything is in order and strictly according to the rules,” says De Jager.
“I did more than what is expected from me. This person can’t make such assumptions that are stated on the petition.”
He says that people have a misconception of what goes on at Teazers and what it’s all about.
“It is hilarious to know what people think is happening here. Here are no bedrooms or rooms that can lock.”
De Jager explains that it is simply a functioning restaurant where people sit at tables while ladies dance.
“Everything that happens here is legal – you will see more on TV than what you will see here. I don’t mind people complaining about something I do wrong, but don’t make accusations about things you have no idea about.”
De Jager has a suspicion of who might be responsible for the petition, and is also planning on taking legal steps against the perpetrator.
The Boksburg North SAPS communications officer, Lieut Juanita Coetzer, confirmed that the Boksburg North SAPS did conduct investigations and inspections regarding the premises and found that everything was in order.
“Teazers’ papers are all up-to-date and in order,” says Coetzer.
The Boksburg Advertiser did its own investigation and also visited the premises and viewed all documentation.
The Venter Centre portfolio manager, Anton Kilian, has no objection to the opening of Teazers at the centre.
“He (De Jager) followed all the right steps from the beginning and has everything in order. People must not think this is a brothel – it is a restaurant for top class people. Minors aren’t allowed there.”
The grand opening of Teazers is on Friday, August 8. – @IschkeBoksburg
