For now, they confirm that all staff and guests are safe and accounted for. On Wednesday morning 8 September, the first legally registered casino in South Africa was gutted by a fire, the cause of which remains unknown at this stage. 

Amongst the guests that had to be evacuated from the premises, is the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Zoleka Capa. She told eNCA, whilst at the scene, that there was no alarm or warning when the fire broke out and as a result, guests had to “self-evacuate”. Peermont spokesperson, Nikki Evans, says the group’s management is on its way to Mahikeng to ascertain the damage caused by the blaze.

The fire is not known to have spread to other areas with residents of the nearby Leopard Park Gold Estate telling OFM News they were unaware of the incident until they left for work in the morning, meaning the blaze did not spread to the nearby estate. The extent of the damage incurred is unknown at this stage. 

In 2017, the resort underwent an R8 million upgrade to its conference room and the casino area. The upgrades also included the opening of the ‘Moo Bar’, which was meant to appeal to a younger crowd in the North West capital. 

Previously known as Mmabatho Sun and Casino, it was built and opened by Sol Kerzner in 1977, and was subsequently acquired by Tusk Resorts in 1997. Peermont Hotels, Resorts, and Casinos acquired the resort in August 2006 and it was rebranded as Mmabatho Palms in June 2009. This is a developing story.

OFM News