DUE to the liquidation of
Legend Golf & Safari
Resort Operations (Pty)
Ltd, travel agents are out of
pocket as Legend Hospitality
Group says it does not have
any authority to process
commissions or refunds.
The liquidation only applied
to the operational aspect of
the entity and would not affect
the property assets, the group
said in a statement.
When Legend Golf & Safari
Resort Operations joined
Legend Hospitality Group’s
portfolio over a decade ago,
it was registered under an
operational company as well
as a property development
company.
“Legend Golf & Safari
Resort Operations has been
operating on a rental pool
basis, and restructuring of
the current rental pool model
was needed,” says Therese
Cilliers, md of the Legend
Hospitality Group.
Legend Golf & Safari
Resort intends to continue
operating as a golf and
safari destination under a
new operational entity that
will be completed soon, she
says. During this period, the
property has been closed for
annual maintenance.
The statement continues
that Legend Hospitality
Group is aware the
situation has “some
administrative challenges
and inconveniences to which
they will endeavour to provide
support and assistance where
needed”.
Support and assistance,
however, is not what Nisha
Chhika, an independent travel
consultant (ITC) operating
as Flying Buddha, has
experienced. She has been
trying to claim her commission
since January for a conference
worth over half a million rand
held at the resort in December
2018.
“I’ve sent numerous emails,
made repeated phone calls
and we even visited their
offices, only to be pushed
from pillar to post without any
explanation.”
Nisha’s issue is that the
hotel management company
accepted payment so they
should take responsibility
for her commission in the
same way travel agents take
responsibility for their clients
when suppliers like United
Europe or Travellers Choice
shut down, she says.
It’s been like hitting a brick
wall, she says. “It’s been so
frustrating and disappointing
to see how this whole
situation has been handled,
without remorse.”
Eventually a PA from Legend
Hospitality Group suggested
she contact the liquidators,
Lex-Star Trustees, and she has
subsequently lodged a claim.
Gillian Hurford, divisional
manager at Superlative
Incentives has had a similar
experience. She booked a
conference at the property in
December 2017 that should
have earned her a commission
of R110 000. Following
discussions with the company,
Legend agreed to pay the
commission in instalments of
R10 000, paying two but then
stopping.
Gillian has tried all means
at her disposal to get the
remainder of her commission.
“I have sent lawyers’ letters, I
have spoken to the company
but nothing has happened.”
When she asked if the
company was in liquidation
she was told it was none of
her business, she says.
Out-of-pocket agents fight Legend
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