CAPE TOWN Thebe Tourism has applied for the provisional liquidation of one of its retail operations, Thebe Retail, which owns the Taung Trading Post at the V&A Waterfront, spokesman Jan van Huyssteen said yesterday.

Taung Trading Post continues to trade under the management of provisional liquidators.

Thebe Tourism is a subsidiary of Thebe Investment Corporation. It has interests in inbound tour operators, tourism products, car rental and tourism-orientated retail outlets.

All of Thebe Tourism's other retail interests are held through separate companies because they involve different outside shareholders.

Van Huyssteen confirmed that the liquidation of Thebe Retail was the culmination of a longrunning dispute between the company and one of its shareholders. Despite efforts by Thebe to resolve the matter, it has been unsuccessful, and it had no option but to apply for the liquidation of the group when it became apparent that Thebe Retail was unable to repay significant monies due to Thebe Tourism.

Van Huyssteen said that because the V&A Waterfront lease had always been in the name of Thebe Tourism, th e group would continue to trade from the site after the conclusion of the liquidation of Thebe Retail and would use the name Taung Trading Post, which Thebe Tourism owns.

According to media reports in April, Charlotte Steere, the former MD of a Thebe Retail outlet, was in dispute with Van Huyssteen over her dismissal. Thebe Tourism said an adjudicator was appointed, who recommended the two parties sever their relationship. Thebe offered to buy out Steere, who refused.