Head of Zeta: They want to evict the tenants of the building after half a century

The catering and tourist complex Glava Zeta is remembered by older generations for numerous cultural and entertainment events and beer, younger generations for sports events and the swimming pool. Both of them like to mention the green oasis, but they forget, or don't even remember, that the scent of an exotic yellow flower - mimosa - spreads through the complex.

The complex was managed by the company "Montel Motel Glava Zete", which was owned by "Montex" and Elektroprivreda, and the company was declared bankrupt at the end of September 2018. The complex, which also includes a motel that ceased operations in 2009, seems to have been declared bankrupt much earlier, considering the state they are in. That is why the tenants of the apartment buildings, which are located within the complex, were happy when they learned that a buyer had appeared who, they hope, will restore Glava Zeta to its former glory.

However, they were surprised by the order handed to them by the bankruptcy administrator of "Montela" Ranko Radinović on February 21, that they must move out within 15 days, otherwise a forced eviction will be carried out.

"I have lived here for almost 50 years. The late father got an apartment in front of the Fighters' Association. First we lived in a shack and then they gave him an apartment here. I will not leave the apartment to set it on fire and burn in it, because I have nowhere else to go," said Momčilo Basta.

There were six residential buildings with 43 apartments in the complex. Now only three buildings are functional, in which ten families live. The other three were completely destroyed, and, according to the tenants, their buildings would have been the same if they had not maintained them as much as they could.

"We invested our resources, our work, in order to maintain these buildings and the roof over our heads. Of course, we are aware that most of us entered here illegally, but we were forced to because we had to provide a roof over our heads. The bankruptcy administrator is probably aware that we have been in these buildings from 27 to 50 years, that we have maintained and preserved them in this condition and that, therefore, by law, we have acquired the right to own and maintain those buildings," Olivera said. Cukic.

In the sixties of the last century, the workers of Elektroprivreda mostly lived in the buildings. One of them, says Milan Jauković, was his wife's father, who got the apartment in 1966.

"This is my wife's apartment. Her father was employed at the HPP and on that basis he received a decision from the Municipality of Danilovgrad in 1966, so I am simply surprised that in the 21st century things like this can happen. If there is a solution that is in someone's name, no one can force you to move in that way in 15 days. We will look for a solution, we will lead the proceedings", Jauković said.

They turned to the president of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, Zorica Kovačević, for help, and after talking with her, they say that they believe that they will not be left without a roof over their heads, because she allegedly promised them that she would try to find the best solutions for everyone.

From brilliance to despair

The Glava Zeta complex was a place where numerous cultural, sports and musical events were held, but also a favorite corner for those who wanted to find peace. The complex was created during the construction of the hydroelectric power plant (HE) "Perućica". At the end of the seventies of the last century, the motel was closed to be reopened in 1987, when the Nikšić company Montex, owned by Stanislav Ćan Koprivica, took part in its reconstruction.

"The motel was opened on October 24, 1987. I participated in its furnishing while it was being reconstructed. The building was very neglected, almost without a roof and walls, a real ruin. It was closed when the main road Nikšić-Podgorica was completed and it did not work for ten years, and then, thanks to 'Montex', which invested significant funds, it was renovated and remodeled, it got a new shine and became known beyond the borders of the then Yugoslavia", says Milan. Jauković, who was the head of Glava Zeta from 1987 to 2003, but who also worked in the aforementioned facility in 1968.

Jauković recalls that the contest for Miss Montenegro was organized in the motel, that there is no significant pop artist or actor from the area of ​​the former Yugoslavia who did not participate in one of the programs.

"Everything went through the Yugoslav variety show, which sent us the biggest possible artists, and all this was accompanied by a big visit. Guests reserved seats in advance because it was difficult to get a free chair. Mountain car races, Glava Zete-Bogetići, were also organized, where more than 30 thousand people attended.

The complex had two swimming pools, a summer garden with 300 seats, sports fields, a mini-brewery. Sports camps were organized in the summer, and beer drinkers, says Jauković, knew in those years where the best beer in Montenegro was sold.

"We had the first mini-brewery in the Balkans, opened in 1989, where 600 liters of beer were produced per day. We produced the best beer called 'Glava Zeta'. We had a large number of regular guests, beer lovers, and we took care of them, so we made special mugs with their names on them and they would come and ask for their mug. That's how we got more and more customers", says Jauković, not without pride.

He recalls that "Montex" had great programs, including the Glava Zete-Monastir Ostrog cable car.

"Ćano Koprivica, a respected businessman of the European format, was eager to see it through to the end. However, someone made an ill-advised move and brought refugees, over 400 of them, to the former playground, and then Ćano withdrew from all programs. As if someone did it on purpose”.

The head of Zeta, says Jauković, is '60. and '70. years of the last century really "lived".

"Here at one time there was a health clinic, a school with 64 students, a post office, the local office where I got married, two shops, a kiosk, a motel with 30 beds, two swimming pools that were beautifully done, a football field that was renovated exclusively by the workers of Glava Zeta that worked then, tennis courts. What is there of that today - almost nothing. The only thing left are the tennis courts, which were renovated thanks to private investment. Who is to blame for all that went wrong? I guess not us. The one who led all that and decided on it is to blame," says Jauković.

There are also cypresses, pines and plane trees, camphor planted by a German who was in charge of horticulture during the construction of "Perućica", and the smell of mimosa, unusual for this climate.

Jauković, as well as the other tenants, hope that the new owner will restore the old shine to the complex, that they will not be left homeless because of this "shine", and that the complex will once again be a paradise for the eyes and the soul. He is the same now, he just lacks the appropriate "makeup".

All bought for 429.000 euros

The property of the company "Montel Motel Glava Zete" has been for sale since December 2018 and only recently found a buyer, the company "Gufo" from Podgorica. The property located on Glava Zeta has been sold, while the land on Čevo is still waiting for a buyer.

"The contract with the company 'Gufo' has not yet been signed because there are tenants in the apartment buildings who live there illegally and the new owner will sign the contract only when they move out. The property was sold for 429 euros," bankruptcy trustee Ranko Radinović told "Vijesta".

At the request of the Tax Administration, the bankruptcy of the company was introduced at the end of September 2018 because the company then owed about 140.000 euros in taxes. However, her accounts were blocked in the amount of nearly half a million euros. After signing the contract, the money from the sale, explained Radinović, must still remain in the account due to the property-legal dispute between "Montex" and Elektroprivreda, which has been going on for ten years and is still current.

"As soon as the proceeds from the sale are operational, the money owed to the Tax Administration will be paid first because it is a mortgage creditor".