Morkel coughs up

2003-02-04 23:17

Yvonne Beyers

Cape Town - Former premier Gerald Morkel agreed in the High Court on Tuesday to pay an outstanding amount of about R500 000 to the developer of a luxury residence in Silvertree Estate in Constantia.

Morkel initially refused to pay. He said Sagar neglected to complete construction work on the house.

He cancelled his contract with Sagar and demanded access to the house.

Sagar refused to allow Morkel occupation of the house until he had settled the alleged outstanding payment.

Morkel said the house had to be completed by May 31 last year and that he did not owe Sagar the money because the house was not ready.

In court documents, Sagar claimed that building costs increased after Morkel changed the building plans.

Morkel said on Tuesday that he didn't consider the case closed. "There is still contruction that needs to be done, but I will not use Sagar again. They should have finished long ago, and I will not move in until it is completed. However, this time I will use another building contractor," he said.

The settlement agreement, which was turned into a court order, stipulates that Morkel must carry the legal cost of the case.

- Die Burger