The current state of what was the Stables Market in Stamford Hill, Durban.
Image: Supplied
SIX years after their eviction, former traders of the Stables Market in Durban are calling for an investigation into alleged fraud by the eThekwini Municipality, as they seek justice and the restoration of their livelihood
This follows a recent report of a new “Stables Lifestyle Market” set to open on the premises in Stamford Hill, from which they were evicted in February 2020.
The eviction followed a court battle between the eThekwini Municipality and the former lease-holder. The new lease was given to Hoy Park Management.
Sanjiv Fulchand, spokesperson for the Stables Traders Representative Committee and an evicted trader, said they opened a case of fraud against the city last week.
Captain Ntathu Ndlovu, a provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the case had been opened.
Fulchand said the lease being given to Hoy Park Management was allegedly “a premeditated act of fraud”.
“This was a private lease to build a ‘world-class’ sports development centre, yet it has failed to launch in the six years. Instead Hoy Park Management had given a sublease of what was our ‘Stables Market’ to one of its directors to build a private market for his personal wealth.
“In addition, in 2020, Hoy Park Management objected to a municipal subdivision and redevelopment of the Stables Market for the evicted traders. This power to veto the municipal resolution was based on its private lease,” he claimed.
Fulchand alleged the lease was awarded on a fraudulent misrepresentation by the city manager, who was also the head of the project.
“He fraudulently misrepresented that the Liverpool Football Club was a ‘tripartite partner’ in the sports academy in 2014. He further misrepresented their arrival in seven days to show the urgency to grant a private lease to Hoy Park Management in October 2014. However, the Liverpool Football Club denied any tripartite partnership with anybody in the sports academy.
“As a result of his action, this led directly to a private lease being granted, fraudulent abuse of supply chain management policy to deviate from the normal tender procedure, and a direct mandate to evict the traders,” he alleged.
Fulchand said the committee was now seeking to legally “attach the rights of Hoy Park Management gained from a private lease allegedly based on fraudulent misrepresentation”.
“We also want Hoy Park Management’s objection to the redevelopment of the Stables Market for the evicted traders to be declared illegal. The private lease should be revoked and all subsequent actions should be declared as illegal, especially the eviction of the traders.”
Fulchand, who is also operations director and spokesperson of the Save Our Stables Foundation, a non-profit company, said the former market served to put bread on the table of the traders at affordable rentals.
“Many traders also educated their children by paying for the school and university fees; financed homes and vehicles, and paid for their medical aid from income generated as traders. The majority of traders were senior citizens who were totally dependent on that income.
“Over the years, some have lost homes or cannot afford medical aid, while others struggle to put bread on the table to date. Durban does not need another mall with ‘VIP lounges’.
“The rustic charm of the old Stables Market cannot be replaced. It is devastating to see 24 stables have been illegally demolished to make way for a double-storey glass food court. However, enough is enough; 2026 will see the traders take their fight to court to put bread back on their tables. The city must be held accountable,” he said.
Mandla Nsele, the eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications director, said the matter was sub judice.
Subasen Naidoo, the director of Hoy Park Management, said the company held the long-term municipal lease over the Stables Sports & Lifestyle Precinct.
“The overarching vision for the precinct remains fundamentally sports development-led, anchored by the establishment of a high performance sports development centre and sports academy, with structured soccer development forming a key strategic objective.”
He said the centre and academy were currently in the final stages of planning approvals before they could move forward into implementation.
Naidoo, who is also project director of the Stables Lifestyle Market, said in the interim, and as part of the structured phased roll-out of the precinct, they were activating the historic Stables buildings through a new market.
“The Stables Lifestyle Market is being developed and operated by Private Park Enterprises under a ring-fenced project structure designed to ensure focused delivery and operational accountability, with Hoy Park Management acting as the master precinct leaseholder.
“The redevelopment is a private-sector initiative undertaken in partnership with the precinct leaseholder under a long-term municipal lease, with eThekwini Municipality as a key strategic partner.
“In addition, the project aligns with municipal objectives relating to sports and soccer development, urban regeneration, heritage preservation, tourism activation and inclusive local economic development,” he said.
Naidoo said they had received more than 600 expressions of interest from prospective vendors seeking to participate in the lifestyle market.
“A structured review and curation process is under way to ensure that selected vendors align with the heritage character, quality standards and sports-focused vision of the precinct. No trading has commenced,” he said.