Tshwane\u2019s four-bedroom Mayoral mansion, nestled among ambassadorial residences in the upmarket suburb of Muckleneuk, fetched R5.1 million at High Street Auctions\u2019 final sale of the year on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, opened the controversial house, which is valued at R5 million, for viewing by potential buyers towards the end of October.<\/p>\n
The mayor was at Summer Place to witness the final disposal of a scandal-plagued city \u201casset\u201d that has been the subject of a corruption probe relating to the previous administration\u2019s R12 million \u201cupgrade\u201d to the property.<\/p>\n
In a South African metro first, Tshwane\u2019s full council voted recently to dispose of the opulent property in which Msimanga has refused to live. Among the reasons cited were the substantial cost to ratepayers of maintaining the property and the council\u2019s desire to utilise the funds for the construction of low income housing.<\/p>\n
Addressing a packed sales floor prior to the auction, Msimanga reportedly made a plea for bidder generosity, explaining that he had already committed the money to housing for the people of Tshwane.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever we can get \u2013 R5 million or more, we\u2019d be grateful,” he said. The auctioneer dropped the hammer at R5.1 million in a sale that \u2013 in total \u2013 took less than two minutes to conclude.<\/p>\n
The buyer of the property wished to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n
Addressing the media after the auction, Msimanga said: \u201cThe house was previously valued so we knew roughly what we would get at auction. \u201cThis money will allow at least 40 less fortunate families to have decent roofs over their head.\u201d<\/p>\n