Tshwane to fix fresh produce market refrigeration

Tshwane economic development and spatial planning is urgently maintaining its fresh produce market in Marabastad after 12 cold rooms malfunctioned recently.

MMC André le Roux said his department recently appointed a service provider for the emergency repairs and maintenance of the market’s cold storage equipment.

Le Roux said the equipment recently malfunctioned and was unable to maintain the required temperature.

The cold rooms must maintain temperatures between 0°C and 14°C according to the needs of the stored produce to extend the shelf life of the goods.

He said at maximum capacity, the 12 cold rooms hold 2 090 pallets of fresh fruit, worth at least R40-million.

“After an evaluation by market personnel, it was determined that urgent repairs needed to be made.”

Le Roux said cold storage significantly improved the quality of the products and enabled consistent supply throughout the year.

“The cold storage complex operates on an ammonia refrigeration system in which the cooling towers, valve stations and screw compressors play a vital role to ensure that temperatures within the cold storage rooms are maintained at optimum levels,” he said.

“The proper functioning of the facility is of the utmost importance, as a breakdown of any component exposes the product in the cold rooms to compromise.”

He said the metro was committed to resolving the refrigeration challenge as a matter of urgency, to grow the business.

“The metro is making sure that the market regains its former splendour.”

The metro is expected to undertake more maintenance and upgrade work to the market in the 2022/23 financial year.

R8-million will go towards the work, said Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.

Mashigo said residents and stakeholders could expect upgrades to the ripening centre, a redesign of entrances and exits, upgrades to public lights, perforated roller doors into the trading hall and an installation of a 500kVA emergency generator.

“The return on our investment in these facilities is expected to be an increase in business coming to the market and improved service to stakeholders, mainly farmers and buyers,” said Mashigo.

He said additional funding would be required to address all maintenance backlogs such as roof leaks, potholes, stormwater drainage, ablution facilities and electricity reticulation systems.

The market allegedly faced challenges such as the failure to monitor deliveries, lack of proper hygiene control, safety and security in the past.

Recently the Competition Commission launched an inquiry into the market following allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.

It was also alleged that the market faced financial problems, technical limitations to reaching accepted food safety standards, had limited storage and poor access to rail transportation.

DA Gauteng spokesperson on agriculture and rural development Ina Cilliers at the time said these challenges were extremely concerning.

Cilliers said the DA had sight of dozens of correspondence from organisations such as the Institute of Markets Agents of SA, Fruit and Veg City, Pretoria Stall Holders Association and others detailing their concerns about the market and offering assistance to improve the conditions.

“That there are no proper cold storage and ripening facilities at the market means that fresh produce producers will be at the losing end as they will not be able to keep their produce fresh,” she said.

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