Durban - Investigations were under way into clandestine gatherings taking place at a warehouse, believed to be operating as a swingers club, in Pinetown.
The KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority (KZNLA) was probing allegations that the club, Strawberry Lips, in New Germany was illegal. The club was believed to be operating without a business and liquor licence, even though there have been claims of events taking place there, including a successful Halloween party at the end of October – allegations that have been denied by the owner.
However, sources who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, were adamant that swinger parties were often held there and have been going on since last year. The sex parties were for members only, who would have to first register on a website, and once screened, would be allowed in.
There was also a WhatsApp group, in which the members communicated. Last week, a leaked Whatsapp voice clip did the rounds, and the voice was alleged to be that of the club owner, Timothy Phillips, celebrating the successful hosting of a Halloween party. Phillips has denied that he had sent the voice note. The Sunday Tribune understands that Phillips applied for a special consent to extend the property on Shepstone Road.
According to the eThekwini Municipality one objection was received. A source with knowledge of the goings on at the club alleged that the building was a fire hazard as it had no emergency exits. The source further alleged that Phillips previously operated with a fake liquor licence and when found out was given a fine and told to close shop.
The source said, “this building has been subdivided with plasterboard and carpeting to form numerous bedrooms all of which are extremely flammable”. “Draping, which is extremely flammable, exists throughout the structure.
“It lacks exit points according to the supplied drawings within the application and there are concerns regarding corridors that do not lead to an exit. “In the case of an emergency, clients will become disorientated, incapacitated, and could be killed,” he said. “The consent also indicated that most patrons preferred using taxis than driving themselves were not true.
“The application also stated that it is a “nightclub” that sells alcohol. “The owner was fined last year for being in possession of what turned out to be a fake liquor licence which is highly concerning. “The venue was raided by the SAPS and closed; however, he continues to operate and sell alcohol up to and including last weekend,” the informer said. Phillips has emphatically denied all the allegations, labelling them as malicious lies.
He said he was aware of the allegations and claimed that no activities took place at the club last weekend. Asked about the voice clip and the cars that were parked on the premises on the day he is accused of hosting the Halloween event, Phillips said: “It was my friend’s birthday who had turned 50 and we decided to celebrate it at his place.
He stays just 1km away from where the club is, so it was ideal for us to use the parking space … not that we had an event … those are lies.” Phillips denied that it was his voice on the clip adding that anyone can manipulate a voice clip.
He maintained his innocence and said an inspector had visited the club on Wednesday after a complaint was lodged with the city officials. “An inspector came and found the place as a shell since there’s nothing inside and we have not traded for a while,” he said.
Phillips admitted that he had produced a fake liquor licence to the authorities, saying he had been scammed by a company which claimed to issue licences. “I am not the only one who has been scammed by this company,” he said. Phillips said he did not open a case against the owner who had provided him with the fake licence as the owner was bedridden.
Nomthandazo Dlamini, acting communications manager at the KZNLA, confirmed that the licence application for Strawberry Lips was conditionally granted on October 12, adding that this was subject to a business licence within a period of 18 months. “We confirm that the business licence has not been submitted to the KZNLA which therefore means that the condition for granting of the liquor licence has not yet been met.
“We further clarify that the conditional grant does not afford the applicant the right to trade in liquor,” said Dlamini. She said the matter had been escalated to the SAPS for the owner to be charged and the club shut down in line with the KZN Liquor Licence Act 6 of 2010.
Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the Land Use Management office received a complaint, and a “contravention notice” was served.
“The operator of the business then lodged a special consent application for a nightclub and special building (private club). “The special consent was advertised, and one objection was received. “The application is currently being considered for a decision.
“The LUM office has been in contact with the operator of the club as well as the owner of the building and it was confirmed that the club is not operating,” said Mayisela
SUNDAY TRIBUNE