THE disgruntled evictees of the Stables Lifestyle Market are determined not to sit back. They have secured the services of a retired Special Investigations Unit advocate and the help of a local attorney in their bid to reclaim the once-thriving market spot.

The eThekwini Municipality issued eviction notices in 2020, as part of a plan to develop a world-class sports precinct, including a football academy, in the Kings Park area, resulting in the eviction of stallholders. The planned soccer academy remains a no-show.

The City has not replied to queries regarding an update on the construction of the soccer academy; however, it said, “The matter was addressed in court, and the ruling was in favour of the legal process, resulting in the eviction. The court order did not require the municipality to provide alternative accommodation.”

Sanjiv Fulchand, spokesperson of the STRC and Save The Kings Park Movement, described the standstill as “chained by a premeditated act of fraud”.

“The majority of the evicted traders have been at the Stables Market for between 15 to 20 years, and the oldest for 25 years until eviction five years ago. Sixty percent are senior citizens and were totally dependent on this sole income,” Fulchand said.

Also read: The Stables Market: Evicted traders pray for return

“There was zero consultation with the small businesses before their eviction. In 2020, a representative of the City’s Business Unit granted a meeting and offered to help, on the condition that the traders obeyed the eviction order. The rep resolved in March 2020 that the Stables Market would be subdivided and redeveloped for the evicted small businesses. Two years later, it declared that the evicted traders could not be helped.”

Fulchand continued, “The evicted small businesses and ratepayers of Durban have watched the majestic Kings Park precinct and the beloved Stables Market being hijacked. Not only have the evicted traders lost their sole income, but they have lost their human rights, dignity, and have been abandoned.”

Also read: The Stables Market: Family pleads for revival, restoration of livelihoods

In conclusion, Fulchand vowed, “This crime scene will be investigated, and the Kings Park Precinct must be returned to the ratepayers of Durban, its sports clubs, and the evicted traders of the Stables Market before the next multi-coloured gravy train arrives.”

In 2020, the registrar of the High Court of South Africa ordered that the respondent (market occupants) vacate the property and to deliver vacant possessions to the applicant (eThekwini Municipality) no later than March 31, 2020.

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