Tshwane recommits to refurbishing market after court order

The Tshwane metro has committed to ensuring the Tshwane fresh produce market is maintained and in compliance with health and safety regulations following a recent court order.

The judgment was handed down on October 31 on a case in which the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (Imasa) alleged the market in the Pretoria CBD was neglected.

In his judgment last month, judge Shereen Meersingh instructed the metro to submit a plan that addresses occupational health and safety, and quality management at the market.

The plan was to include the installation of fire and smoke detectors, electrical connectivity and facility compliance, security and the fixing of all sanitation facilities.

Meersingh said Tshwane had to submit a report to Imasa with a draft plan in 60 days and a final plan within 180 days of his order.

In 2020, Imasa blamed the decline of the market’s fortunes on poor management.

Imasa chairperson Julian van der Nat said over the past 10 years, the more-than-100-year-old market had spiralled downwards on “mostly health, safety and maintenance” issues.

The market was established in 1918 on Church Square, formerly Strydom Square, then moved to 250 President Burger Street in 1964 where it remains today.

At the time, he said the leaking toilets posed “a severe health risk for a place that sells food” and Imasa believed the market’s management must be separated from its ownership to optimise operations.

Van der Nat said the market was a huge business generating about R170-million a year, yet the metro treated it “like any other department”.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro was working on a turnaround strategy for the market.

“The decision of the court was the outcome of bilateral discussions that took place between Tshwane’s legal team and Imasa.”

He said Tshwane has allocated R18-million to the market “R10-million for Capex and R8-million for repairs and maintenance”.

He said the judgment reiterated what the metro had already committed to doing. “The City recognises the important role played by the market as an economic hub and providing food safety and security within and outside the City.”

“The City will take the necessary steps to address the challenges experienced by the market.”

He said Tshwane had also held discussions with Imasa and Potatoes South Africa on the health and safety at the market.

Tshwane has since promised upgrades to the centre, a redesign of entrances and exits, upgrades to public lights as well as the installation of perforated roller doors into the trading hall and a 500kVA emergency generator.

ALSO READ: Tshwane to fix fresh produce market refrigeration

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