Millions spent and 7 years later hawkers still sit without stalls

BURGERSFORT

It seems the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) is reluctant to give an update with regards to the unoccupied Burgersfort Flea markets which are now regarded as a ‘white elephant’ by some community members. The Burgersfort Flea Market Complex was erected in 2017 by the FTLM. The buildings are situated just opposite Magaba Filling Station in the Burgersfort CBD.
It’s been a month since this publication forwarded inquiries to the FTLM’s communications team without them replying.
On July 18, Sekhukhune Times published an article titled, “Is the Burgersfort Flea Market Complex another white elephant in Tubatse?”. After reading the story, one community member who claimed to have information within the municipality highlighted that chances of having the flea markets used by the hawkers are zero.

“I can tell you, there are reasons why the FTLM is quiet about the flea markets and stalls. They were sold to private business owners. The hawkers will have to pay some money to the private business owner to access the flea markets ,” alleged the whistle blower. 

The source said to implement the  Burgersfort Flea Markets and stalls, it cost taxpayers millions of rands.
The informant indicated that with the flea markets not in use and not benefiting hawkers, shockingly, the municipality continues to lose millions through security, maintenance and electrical appliances at the site.

After the allegations by the reader, Sekhukhune Times inquired again with the Communications Manager at the FTLM, Mahlako Komane on July 30,2024, but no responses were received at the time of going to press.
In recent weeks, few hawkers have inquired about the criteria and procedure for one to occupy the flea markets.

“For years we have awaited communication from the municipality and we are yet to hear from them. The buildings had been ready for more than six years but no one was occupying them. We fear these buildings will be dilapidated before the hawkers utilize them. This is a waste of taxpayer’s money, the FTLM has been paying security companies to guard the buildings while no one is using them”, alleged one informal trader.

Sekhukhune Times understands that both the Burgersfort Flea Market Complex and the Tubatse Recreational Park (situated behind Magaba Filling Station) were officially handed over for public use on November 29, 2017. Currently, they both remain white elephants.

Speaking during the handing over in 2017, former FTLM mayor Johannes ”Chorris” Phokane said the flea market will assist members of the community in having a “one-stop shop” rather than having to travel a great distance purchasing goods while also allowing the municipality to regulate informal traders. “This is done to provide infrastructure for the informal traders, and to empower communities.”

Meanwhile, the Tubatse Recreational Park boasts picnic areas, a mini soccer field, ablution facilities, beautiful trees, vintage playground equipment, swings, seesaws and many more facilities. The park was built in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Environmental Affairs.