The High Court in Pretoria has issued a judgment ordering the City of Tshwane to invest R18-million in the implementation of a precinct plan for the maintenance of the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, says agricultural organisation Agri SA and markets organisation the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (Imasa).
The Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, which is the country’s second largest, hosts thousands of traders, who ensure that 6.5-million South Africans have access to affordable fresh produce, every day.
With a turnover of R3.5-billion a year, the market is a vital economic hub, which makes it difficult to understand why the City of Tshwane would allow it to deteriorate to the extent that it has, the organisations say.
The municipality will be required to use its R18-million allocation for the market, comprising of R10-million in capital expenditure and R8-million for operational expenditures. The municipality was also ordered to pay Imasa’s costs for the application.
"South Africa’s markets play a critical role in guaranteeing affordable access to quality produce for millions of South Africans, and local governments must recognise this critical fact. The undignified and unsafe conditions at our markets clearly point to the lack of appreciation for the centrality of produce markets to the country’s food security," Agri SA and Imasa say.
"Agri SA has also written to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development concerning the state of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market. In light of this judgment, we hope that action will be taken to address conditions at the market without the need for judicial intervention."