Centlec cut the power supply at Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein last month following a court victory. The Michael Family Trust (TMFT) failed to settle its R150m outstanding electricity account. 

The trust had filed an urgent court application on 16 January 2024 seeking to interdict Centlec from cutting the mall’s electricity supply due to nonpayment.

However, Judge Soma Naidoo dismissed the main application and ordered the applicant to pay Centlec’s legal costs. These included the costs of counsel on Scale B, as well as costs incurred on 25 January 2024, and 5 and 6 February last year. The rule nisi in the interlocutory application was also discharged and dismissed with costs. 

The mall is situated close to the Free State Toyota Stadium, the cricket stadium, the Central University of Technology, and provincial government buildings.

Loch Logan Waterfront marketing consultant Meryl Henning confirmed the power has been restored. Everything is running normally as they look forward to a busy trading weekend, she said. 

It’s understood both mall representatives and Centlec management reached an agreement on paying money owed to the entity.

In 2023, OFM News reported the waterfront was among 26 properties to be auctioned off by Broll Auctions and Sales on behalf of the Georgiou family. At the time, the mall was estimated to be worth more than R3.5 billion.

The family had decided to restructure their property portfolio. Galetti Corporate Real Estate CEO John Jack previously told OFM Business Hour the Georgiou family still owns substantive properties in Bloemfontein and elsewhere, despite the decision to restructure their property portfolio.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm