Is the Burgersfort Flea Market Complex another white elephant in Tubatse?

BURGERSFORT

The Sekhukhune Times has been inundated with inquiries and complaints about the Burgersfort Flea Market Complex, erected in 2017 by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM). The buildings are situated just opposite Magaba Filling Station in the Burgersfort CBD. The readers’ main concern is why are the buildings not occupied?
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 is 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.

This publication contacted Chris Nkwana, who represented the Tubatse Hawkers Association during the time when the flea markers were built. Nkwana said he was unaware of the reasons the buildings were not used. He urged this publication to investigate further.

On July 8, this publication forwarded queries to the FTLM’s communications team, inquiring about the municipality’s plans with regards to the flea markets. Some questions posed included, “How can the FTLM use money on the flea markets and leave them unoccupied?”


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.