
Metro targets economic revival with mixed-use plans for Pretoria West
The investment summit in September aims to showcase Tshwane as a destination for investment and economic growth, where the city's assets are showcased to viable investors.
Moya said they adopted the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy in April, aiming to grow the city's economy by 3.9% by 2029, and their target is attracting more than 100 qualified investors.
The mayor was joined by the MMC for Economic and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa and the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi.
The team inspected prime land parcels along Kgosi Mampuru, Bloed, and Boom streets in the heart of the CBD.
Back in 2015, the Tshwane Council had a bold vision to redevelop these city-owned properties into a thriving economic hub, but those plans were left on the shelf. Officials say they aim to reinvigorate those plans.
'In 2015, Tshwane's Council approved a report recommending the redevelopment of a large area of land and properties owned by the city. The report's recommendations were never implemented, and we've decided to fulfil this vision to ensure that Pretoria West is rebuilt into a viable economic hub,' Moya said.
Common issues noted throughout the inspections were the deteriorating state of the properties, with vagrants and recyclers vandalising municipal land for personal gain.
The mayor discouraged residents from supporting these informal traders and squatters selling food in these recycling hubs, labelling them as unhygienic.
'Do you buy maize in the CBD? This is the unhygienic environment where it's cooked near a recycling ground in town. We are concerned about the open pit fire and the littering,' she said.
'We have to find a balanced approach to keeping our city clean while acknowledging the dire economic situation faced by residents.
'This open pit fire is located on a site we plan to redevelop as part of the City's West Capital Corridor for mixed-use development,' Moya said.
This comes after the mayor led an operation in Marabastad recently, which led to the closure of the retail market for non-compliance with by-laws, illegal electric connections and non-payment of services, a decision which brought about backlash.
Since then, the metro has successfully appealed court applications from two companies operating in municipal-owned buildings on Bloed Street, Marabastad.
'The town lands we inspected are located along Kgosi Mampuru, Bloed and Boom streets. The area is zoned for mixed-use development: retail and residential. The investment conference is in the next few weeks, and the properties we've inspected will be made available for leasing to private investors,' Moya said.
Morodi said that they plan to transform the west into a vibrant mixed-use destination for residents, tourists and investors.
'Think bustling retail, modern residential spaces, and endless opportunities for growth. Our next step? An investment conference in the coming months to connect these prime properties with visionary private investors ready to lease and build the future,' Morodi said.
Watch here:
Do you buy maize in the CBD? This is the unhygienic environment that it's cooked near a recycling ground in town. We are concerned about the open pit fire and the littering. We have to find a balanced approach to keeping our city clean while acknowledging the dire economic… pic.twitter.com/ZCyHQIFZpC
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) August 6, 2025
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The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Revival of Fresh Produce Market imminent after contempt ruling
The Tshwane metro has vowed to revitalise its Fresh Produce Market, promising major upgrades and improved services for both traders and customers. This follows a ruling by the Gauteng High Court, which found the metro in contempt on August 11 for failing to comply with a 2022 court order requiring maintenance and upgrades at the market. The Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, said that although the challenges at the market stem from decisions made before her administration, the metro is determined to address them. 'The Fresh Produce Market is one of the city's most valuable strategic assets,' she said. Moya emphasised the metro's respect for the court's decision and its commitment to full compliance, while focusing on sustainable improvements that benefit all market users. She noted that the Institute of Market Agents of SA (IMASA) is a critical partner and that the metro will reach out to the institute to arrange constructive engagement. 'We want to work constructively with IMASA, market traders, and other stakeholders to address the issues raised and restore the market to its rightful place as a leading agricultural hub,' she said. The mayor emphasised that the market plays a pivotal role in the city's agricultural and agro-processing sector, as outlined in the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy (TERS) adopted earlier this year. 'Our vision is to expand trading space, improve operational efficiency, grow market share, and integrate emerging farmers into the formal value chain.' However, Moya acknowledged that achieving these objectives requires additional resources. She explained that the metro will present the market as a priority investment opportunity at the Tshwane Investment Summit in September. 'Our objective is to secure the resources and partnerships needed to transform the market,' she said. Moya underscored the economic potential of the market. She added that by working together with IMASA and other agricultural stakeholders, the metro will ensure the market is positioned as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and agricultural development in the city. The metro's renewed commitment comes after the court order, following a contempt application by IMASA. According to the court judgment, the municipality had failed to fully comply with a 2022 court order issued by Judge Shereen Meersingh on October 31, 2022. That order required the metro to submit a precinct plan addressing occupational health and safety, allocate R18-million for implementation, and consult IMASA on all market-related budget processes. The plans were to cover fire and smoke detection, electrical connectivity, security, lifts and hoists, sanitation, refuse removal, and procurement of evaporator coils. Draft precinct risk assessments and recovery plans were due within 60 days, with a final plan required within 180 days. Although the original order predates Moya's tenure, she is responsible for ensuring that the municipality complies, including overseeing the implementation of all required plans and allocating the necessary resources to meet the standards outlined in the 2022 order. Judge Mmonoa Teffo ordered Moya and City Manager Johann Mettler to ensure full compliance within 30 days and warned that a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, could be activated if they fail. The court judgment also revealed that the matter originated in January 2022, when IMASA, representing market traders, approached the High Court, arguing that the metro had failed to provide constitutionally mandated services. The municipality submitted a draft precinct plan in December 2022, which IMASA rejected as non-compliant due to insufficient detail in the R18-million budget allocation and a lack of supporting documentation. Despite repeated concerns raised by IMASA, the metro submitted a final precinct plan in April 2023 without addressing the organisation's issues. In August of that year, the metro claimed in correspondence with IMASA that it had complied with the court's timelines. IMASA was dissatisfied and filed a contempt of court application in December. The judgment details numerous shortcomings in the municipality's handling of the market. Both draft and final plans failed to prioritise critical issues outlined in the 2022 court order and lacked supporting evidence for the budget allocations. Key projects, including electrical connectivity and facility compliance upgrades, were postponed to the 2024/25 financial year. Several operational failures were also highlighted, including: – How forklifts purchased for R2-million were unusable due to a lack of qualified drivers, – Evaporator coils for ripening rooms were never bought, – Essential generators were missing – Donated lighting was incorrectly counted toward the R18-million budget. The ruling further indicated that the metro did not seek clarification when its interpretation of the 2022 order differed from IMASA's understanding. While the metro argued that most of the R18-million had been spent and that financial constraints prevented completion, the court found no evidence to support these claims and ruled that IMASA's criticisms were valid. IMASA's application to hold the mayor and city manager personally liable was granted. The judgment now requires Moya and the city manager to submit a draft or final precinct plan, a detailed risk assessment, and a recovery plan for the market. They are also required to submit affidavits that confirm the completion of all repairs and compliance measures, including fire and smoke detection, electrical connectivity, security, lifts and hoists, sanitation, and refuse removal. A detailed account of the allocation and expenditure of the R18-million capital and operational budget for 2022 is also required by the court. ALSO READ: Urban management initiative hits Region 3 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.

IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Tshwane Mayor pledges compliance after court ruling on fresh produce market
City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has committed to revitalising Tshwane's fresh produce market after high court ruling. Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Media Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has pledged to upgrade Tshwane Fresh Produce Market after a Gauteng High Court ruling threatened imprisonment for her and city manager Johann Mettler if they fail to comply with the October 2022 court order, requiring the city to provide essential services to the facility. The court's decision, issued on Monday, stems from the City of Tshwane's non-compliance with an October 2022 order to invest R18 million in the market's maintenance and provide essential services. The aggrieved party, the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) approached the high court in Pretoria seeking an order that the city be found in contempt of the 2022 ruling. Judge Mmonoa Teffo blasted the city for failing to comply with the court order, handing down a suspended 30-day jail sentence to the municipal manager and executive mayor, pending a year without further non-compliance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The city was also ordered to submit a comprehensive renovation plan for the market premises within 30 days, which includes the installation and repair of fire and smoke detection devices, electrical connections, facilities, security, lifts, sanitation and refuse removal facility. In her judgment, Judge Teffo highlighted that the city's own timeline for addressing fire and smoke detection compliance issues revealed a significant delay. The city claimed to have appointed a service provider in August 2023, conducted an assessment in October 2023, and planned to issue a purchase order by November 2023. 'I agree with the applicant's submission that by so saying the first respondent admits that it has not implemented this project before June 2023,' Judge Teffo said. In court papers, the city cited financial constraints as the reason for delaying electrical connectivity and facility compliance upgrades, pushing the project to the 2024/2025 financial year or later. The court ruled that the city misallocated funds by using money designated for replacing evaporator coils in ripening rooms to purchase forklifts instead. According to the ruling, the city's expenditure on new public lights was not transparent, as it included unaccounted-for expenses in the R10 million Capex budget, without justification. Reacting to the ruling, Moya said while this matter predates the current administration, it reflects a legacy of challenges that have limited the market's potential as a driver of inclusive economic growth. 'We affirm our respect for the court's decision and our commitment to comply fully with its requirements. In doing so, our approach will be collaborative, with a focus on delivering sustainable improvements that benefit all market users,' she said. She highlighted the importance of working constructively with key stakeholders, including IMASA, market traders, and others, to address the challenges and restore the market's status as a leading agricultural hub. 'To this end, we will be reaching out to IMASA to arrange a constructive engagement in the interest of moving forward together,' she said. Freedom Front Plus councillor in Tshwane Grandi Theunissen welcomed the ruling, saying: 'It is regrettable that the Mayor and City Manager had to be compelled to take action by a court order.'


The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor faces jail threat over fresh produce market neglect
After years of neglect, the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market must be fixed within a month, or the city's top officials could end up behind bars. The High Court in Pretoria has handed down a ruling to force the City of Tshwane's mayor and manager to implement upgrades to the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, as agreed upon in 2022, or face jail time. On Monday, the high court gave the city 30 days to comply with the ruling or mayor Nasiphi Moya and manager Johann Mettler could receive a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year. This is after the city was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to fix the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, despite having an R18 million budget. The court case Institute of Market Agents of South Africa chair Gjalt Hooghiemstra welcomed the ruling as the applicant for the declaratory order in January 2022, stating that the first respondent is responsible for providing and facilitating municipal services in terms of Section 1 of the Local Government, Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000. In October 2022, Judge AJ Meersingh ordered the city to submit a precinct draft plan within 60 days and a final plan within 180 days of the order. This included the implementation of the contents of the approved precinct plan in respect of fire and smoke detection compliance, electrical connectivity and facility compliance, security and checkpoint management, lift and hoist facility compliance, repairs to all sanitation facilities and refuse removal facility compliance. ALSO READ: Marabastad Market wins reprieve as stakeholders seek amicable solution It had to be done within 60 days of the date from the city's allocated budget of R18 million for that year. Legal consequences for non-compliance Legal expert Dr Llewelyn Curlewis said the mayor could actually go to jail. 'As the leader of the city, she is, at the end of the day, the responsible party. 'Just as a company's directors, in terms of Article 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are responsible for the actions and omissions of the company, so the mayor and the city clerk are responsible for the actions and omissions of the city council. 'But the court is not going to arrest the mayor tomorrow and throw her in jail if it has not yet given the mayor a reasonable time to ensure that the court order is implemented,' he added. Curlewis said the current mayor could go to jail even if the verdict was made when another mayor was in power. City's response to the judgment Curlewis recommended that the mayor work on the court order immediately. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city was analysing the court judgment in detail to fully understand its implications. ALSO READ: A 'mockery' or 'flimsy attack'? ANC and DA scrap over Tshwane city manager's appointment 'This involves consulting with legal experts, assessing the potential impact on municipal operations and services and determining a course of action. 'The city remains committed to acting in compliance with the law and will communicate any further steps or decisions once the review is complete,' he said. Political background and governance issues The former Tshwane mayor, DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink, who was mayor when the events unfolded, said the governance support officer was forced to resign by the ANC coalition in January and the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (Teda) mandate over the market, and much else besides, was terminated. 'Ashraf Adam was assigned to negotiate with the market agents during 2024, which he did. Those negotiations were going well. 'The Teda was also mandated to play a supervisory role at the market, since it was clear the management there was delinquent,' he said. Brink said it was clear that the situation had been neglected by the city's political leadership. 'It is also clear that the MMC for economic development, Sarah Mabotsa, has not been of any assistance to the mayor in managing this situation,' he said. Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw welcomed the judgment against the city and said it should be seen as a clear warning to other municipalities managing fresh produce markets to take the management, maintenance and expansion of these markets seriously. NOW READ: Tshwane mayor vows to clean up the capital city