Committee highlights need for urgent repairs at fresh produce market

THERE is much work that still needs to be done to address the infrastructural woes plaguing the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market despite the 2022 court order compelling the municipality to repair and maintain the facility.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

This observation was made by members of the Section 79 Committee for Economic Development and Spatial Planning during their recent oversight visit to the facility.

The visit follows a Gauteng High Court case, where the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) sought a contempt order against the city for noncompliance with a 2022 ruling which ordered the city to invest R18 million in the market's maintenance and provide essential services.

The recent court ruling threatened to imprison Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and city manager Johann Mettler if they fail to provide essential services to the facility in Pretoria West.

In August, Moya said the partnership between Tshwane and IMASA is yielding positive results, with productive discussions underway regarding the market’s future and its potential to boost South Africa's agriculture and agro-processing sector.