Tongaat market traders outraged by 3-day eviction notice for renovations

LONG-STANDING traders at the historic Tongaat Daily Market are struggling with inadequate facilities and security concerns after being given just three days' notice to vacate for renovations.

With the busy December period approaching, traders with decades of history at the market are questioning both the timing and the eThekwini municipality's handling of the relocation.

The stallholders said they were not opposed to the renovation but the abrupt eviction, lack of communication and inadequate temporary facilities which had left their businesses and livelihoods in disarray.

Viresh Rampurtab, a fruit and vegetable trader, from Plane Street, who has worked at the market for 31 years said his family began trading there in 1977. 

He said the municipality first informed the traders about the renovations in 2023 and said at the time that it would begin “shortly,” but nothing had happened until the officials returned to the market last month – almost two years later.

“We were told that the renovations would begin back then. The municipality came to us in 2023 and said the project would star shortly but they never did. They only came to us last week on November 26, two years after they initially approached us.

“We were happy until they gave us only three days’ notice to vacate in order for construction to begin. We needed more time to move but they wanted us out on Friday. It was difficult but we somehow managed to move.”

Instead of the municipality providing a structured temporary trading area, Rampurtab said the construction company had offered traders a two-pole marquee “one tenth of the size of the original market.”

“It is not big enough to cater for us all,” he said.

With no space left under the overcrowded marquee, Rampurtab said he opted to modify his truck and trade from it next to the marquee.

“It is fully equipped with shelter and even down pipes for the rain. However, I only traded for one day because the market officials said I could not sell out of my truck. When I questioned them, they refused to give me an explanation, which resulted in a heated argument. Up until now, I still do not have a reason as to why I cannot trade from my truck,” he said.

He said the lack of demarcated stalls had fuelled disputes among traders competing for unmarked spaces. 

“It is very chaotic under the marquee. There was no prior notice and there is no  water or toilet facilities for us. We are also getting drenched with water when it rains.”

The absence of overnight security had also forced traders to transport stock back and forth daily. 

“I am keeping my produce in my vehicle and carrying on with business in a bid to put food on the table for my family,” said Rampurtab.

Sheven Pancham of Flamingo Heights, whose family has traded at the market for a quarter of a century, echoed the same frustration.

“It is sad how short notice we were given to leave the market building. They have not even given us a start or finish date for the renovations. We were just told to leave with no information.”

Pancham said the small marquee cannot accommodate all the traders, many of whom operated multiple stalls. 

“The marquee is cramped and we cannot trade properly. The weather is not making it any easier. They have no consideration for us. As it is, bringing our stock back and forth is frustrating and tiring, not to mention bad for the  fresh produce.

“It is difficult with the weather but we are trying to make it work because this job is how we survive. It is our livelihood but the city is not making it easy for us.”

He said the timing, just before the festive season which was their busiest trading period, had also drawn anger from the traders.

“We work throughout December and do not take off. We have our staff to pay, people rely on us. Why would they do this in December when we expect to have even more customers? I doubt much work would get done during the festive period anyway.”

He said they should have been allowed a 14 to 30 day notice period. 

“We are happy about the renovations but the notice was too short and inconsiderate,” said Pancham.

The eThekwini Municipality did not comment at the time of publication.

The POST