ANC ‘owes guesthouses R7m’

Angry guesthouse owners in Bloemfontein are accusing the ANC of not paying them over R7 million for accommodation booked for its national conference.

One travel agent who booked 12 guesthouses and 800 rooms said the ANC owed him R7 million, Volksblad reported today.

Owners of these guesthouses wanted him to explain why the party was over a month late with payment.

The travel agent said the guesthouses were losing money because the bookings were made from yesterday and other guests could not be accommodated.

The ANC apparently asked for invoices months ago, but kept postponing the date of payment.

A homeowner at Woodlands Hills estate said he agreed to rent out his house for R65 000 for five days between 16 and 20 December, but was not getting his money from the ANC.

Some residents are still struggling to get money from the ANC for its centenary celebrations held in the city in January.

A Free State ANC spokesperson said the bookings were done from ANC headquarters. He also warned residents to be wary of people making bookings in the name of the ANC.

He said guesthouse owners with queries should call the ANC’s provincial office.

- News24