Tshwane Mayor Commits to Market Overhaul After Court Intervention

In a dramatic turn of events, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has pledged to finally address long-standing issues at the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market after a Gauteng High Court ruling put the city’s leadership under the spotlight. The court warned that both Moya and City Manager Johann Mettler could face imprisonment if they fail to comply with an October 2022 order requiring urgent upgrades and essential services for the facility.

The ruling came after the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) approached the Pretoria High Court, frustrated with years of delays. Judge Mmonoa Teffo did not mince words, pointing out that the city’s own timeline for fixing fire and smoke detection systems exposed deep inefficiencies. While the city claimed to have engaged a service provider in 2023, no real action had been completed, prompting the court to hand down a suspended 30-day jail sentence, pending a year of full compliance.

A Market in Need of Attention

The court has ordered Tshwane to present a full renovation plan within 30 days, including repairs to fire and smoke detection systems, electrical upgrades, sanitation improvements, security enhancements, and even lift maintenance. Judge Teffo also flagged questionable city spending, funds meant for evaporator coils in ripening rooms were diverted to forklifts, and public lighting expenses lacked transparency.

Moya acknowledged the backlog, attributing it to financial constraints and a “legacy of challenges” that preceded her administration. She emphasized a collaborative approach, aiming to work closely with IMASA, market traders, and other stakeholders to restore the market to its role as a leading agricultural hub.

“We affirm our respect for the court’s decision and our commitment to comply fully with its requirements. Our approach will focus on sustainable improvements that benefit all market users,” Moya said, signaling a shift toward more transparent and accountable management.

Reactions from the Community

The ruling drew mixed reactions on social media, with many traders expressing relief that real action may finally follow, while others criticized years of neglect. Tshwane councillor Grandi Theunissen of the Freedom Front Plus welcomed the court’s intervention, remarking, “It is regrettable that the Mayor and City Manager had to be compelled to take action by a court order.”

For locals, the market isn’t just a trading hub, it’s a lifeline for small businesses and farmers supplying fresh produce to the city. The court’s decision and Moya’s promise now provide a rare glimpse of hope that Tshwane’s economic heartbeat might soon get the care it deserves.

{Source: IOL}

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