Tenants unhappy with construction at new Bruma market
Bruma Oriental City tenants were picketing outside the market on March 23, following instructions to vacate and move the the new Bruma Oriental City.
Buli Sonqishe
Bruma Oriental City tenants were picketing outside the market on March 23, following instructions to vacate and move the the new Bruma Oriental City.
Keypunch Properties has since accused those picketing of not paying their deposits for shops at the new market.
The tenants accused the mall owners of not providing detailed information about the move. The tenants said they were first given notices, advising them that they will be moving to the new premises on March 28. This was later changed to March 23.
The EXPRESS went to Bruma Oriental City on two occasions last week and were told both times by security guards at the gate that the old Bruma Mall was closed for business.
The EXPRESS also visited the new market across the road and was again denied access.
On Wednesday, March 25, one of the security guards at the new Oriental City said only the tenants were allowed in as they were busy getting their stores ready for the official opening on Saturday, March 28.
Tenant, Ms Thobeka Dlodlo, said tenants paid the deposit for the new shops and they don’t have a problem with moving in, but the shops are not finished yet.
Although the EXPRESS was not allowed to go inside the new shopping centre, it was evident from the outside that construction was still in progress. The shop owners who had paid their deposits were allowed to go in and see the status of the work done, but they were not given any protective gear on entering the premises.
Ms Dlodlo said, “My business partners and I paid a R40 000 deposit for the new shop, but we cannot move in now because there is construction inside. It is not safe for our customers or us. Our shops on the other side are closed but we paid rent. These new shops will only start operating Monday next week. We cannot sit at home and do nothing while we have paid rent and we are losing business,” she said.
Ms Yolandi Nelson, who is also a tenant at Bruma Oriental City, said shop owners were picketing because the management of Oriental City was forcing them to move to the new Oriental City.
“It is not safe for the public or the tenants to go to the new mall because the work is not finished. They must get it ready and then we can move to that side,” said Ms Nelson.
The EXPRESS spoke to Ms Dlodlo again on Thursday, March 26, to get an update on the situation. She said their stores were still closed.
“We decided to stay at home and wait for March 28 when the new stores are opened because we are still not allowed to operate from the old Bruma,” said Ms Dlodlo.
Ms Jenine Lin, the marketing manager for Keypunch Properties, said the management had a meeting with the tenants last week to discuss the March 28 opening. Tenants were also invited to place any grievances Keypunch Properties.
“90 percent of the tenants at the old Bruma market already have stores at the new mall. Some of those picketing were the ones who didn’t pay the deposits to secure their stores in the new mall,” said Ms Lin.
When asked about complaints regarding incomplete construction, Ms Lin did not provide a comment. She urged those who have a concern to contact their head office to get their grievances resolved.
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