uMdoni declares war on ‘fleas’
It seems the municipality has already made up its mind to build a new R50-m council chamber on the flea market site, despite objections.
UMDONI’S council meeting last Wednesday has incurred the wrath of many who turned up for the debate on what seems to be the now doomed Scottburgh flea market – only to be left hanging.
It seems uMdoni has already made up its mind to build a new R50-m council chamber on the flea market site, despite objections from the public.
Concerned residents turned up in numbers at the meeting and DA councillors requested that the matter be brought forward on the agenda to accommodate them.
However, speaker Siyabonga Kwela flatly disregarded the motion.
Four hours later, after multiple requests by the DA caucus for the topic to be brought forward, the number of people in the gallery had dissipated. When the subject finally came up it seemed that uMdoni had already made up its mind.
“The argument against the motion had only to do with the desire to have a new council chamber and nothing to do with using alternative sites or options,” stated the uMdoni Democratic Alliance caucus.
The construction of the new hall would cost about R50-million, possibly more, despite the MEC for Local Government also suggesting that the construction of the new offices should not go ahead.
The DA, however, feels that this money should be put to better use.
In fact, Municipal manager Xolani Luthuli had already advertised the rezoning application.
“The general manager of corporate services went so far as to allege that she had been in long-term discussions with flea market stallholders who, apparently, had expressed a desire to leave the site and that she was at an advanced stage of finding an alternative site for them,” said the DA caucus.
The Mail sent numerous requests by e-mail and fax for feedback on the above statement weeks ago, but in vain.
The DA caucus was shocked by the GM of corporate services, Nolwazi Ncame’s statement in which she claimed that she had been consulting with various stallholders.
“This is in direct conflict with the fact that the motion, public meeting and 2 000-strong petition, are all the result of the public not wanting the flea market to move,” said the DA caucus.
The DA further stated that numerous recent town planning matters had been ‘mishandled’ and ‘irregularly’ handled to achieve the desired outcomes.
Regardless of how people – including councillors in favour of its relocation – view the Scottburgh flea market, what needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that it is an extremely well-established market which caters for all walks of life.
Its relocation or loss would cripple many independent business owners who make their living through its means – and this with no public consultation process having taken place.
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