First Public Publication:

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Feedback received since the last communication on 5 August 2025 with the Title:
-- Invitation: Mossel Bay Property Owners Unification - Pre-Meeting Discussion -

Feedback from Social Media Platforms and WhatsApp Groups

The following concerns have emerged prominently:

A) Pier Aucamp - Hartenbos

Mr. Aucamp highlights a serious issue regarding missing property plans at the municipality. If the municipality does not have updated plans linked to your property, it cannot be legally transferred to a new owner. The current municipal stance is to require new plans-at the owner's expense-regardless of the property's age or whether any improvements have been made. For example, Mr. Aucamp had to pay over R30,000 to have new plans drawn up for his property, originally built in the 1950s.
Recommendation: All property owners should verify whether the municipality has their property plans on file. If not, this should be reported to the Mossel Bay Property Owners Association (MPOA). Addressing this issue should be a top priority for the proposed Property Owners Unification Movement.

B) Solar Plant Development - Hartenbos Surge Farm:
Concerns have been raised about the proposed R1.2 billion solar plant development. Despite its scale, the project remains vague and undefined, with no clear updates provided to ratepayers. The lack of transparency and communication from the municipality regarding the feasibility and progress of the initiative is deeply troubling.

Concern: Mossel Bay ratepayers are calling for greater clarity and accountability on this major development.

Feedback from the selected 20 leaders for the Mossel Bay Property Owners Unification - Pre-Meeting Discussion movement:

1) Thenis Stein - See detailed e-mail attached

The attached proposal remains pertinent for securing broad-based community support. When comparing PHES to Hartenbos's hybrid system, the economic advantage is evident. In the absence of a formal community structure, the concept is being shared to facilitate participation in the tender process and should be favourably received by decision-makers.
Further analysis of the News24 article on the Hartenbos solar farm raises serious concerns. Findings indicate that electricity supplied via the solar installation costs approximately 210% more than Eskom's listed price. Theunis, an engineer with over 30 years of experience in energy production, believes the project was politically motivated. In his professional view, wind energy would have been a more efficient and cost-effective solution for Mossel Bay's energy needs.
Importantly, the Mossel Bay Municipality was made aware of this recommendation in a report submitted via email in June 2023.

2) Adv. Gerrit Coetzee - See e-mail attached

I respectfully request the opportunity to elaborate further under my designated segment on the proposed Senate application to the Constitutional Court. This will allow me to align the concept with existing Constitutional outcomes and present it within the broader strategic framework and endorsement of the MGEV/MPOA's guiding principles.
Advocate Gerrit Coetzee has been responded to, with a request from our side to kindly provide his feedback and guidance. We sincerely thank him for his valued support and meaningful contributions to the planned movement, which continue to strengthen our shared vision and strategic direction.

Kind regards,
Johan Gräbe
On behalf of the:
Mossel Bay Ratepayers and Property Owners Associations Unification Initiative

1) e-mail from Thenis Stein.pdf

Attachments to e-mail of Thenis Stein.
1a) Mos. Mun. Power Supply advice - By PHES - 28 July 2023.pdf
1b) Mos. Mun. Power Supply cost per kwh.pdf
1c)Original Document with Formulas – Excel File: Mossel Bay Municipality Power Supply Cost per kWh.xlsx

2) e-mail from Adv. Gerrit Coetzee.pdf