A large group of traders have accused the eThekwini Municipality of placing obstacles in the way of their attempts to earn a livelihood through the reopening of the Stables Market on Jaco Jackson Drive. The group of 600 traders were able to secure funds to revitalise the once-vibrant marketplace, which was officially shut down in March 2020, but they claimed the city blocked their efforts — allegations the municipality denied.
John Mills, chairperson of the Hoy Park Trading Association, speaking on behalf of the traders, expressed frustration with the city, which he said was obstructing attempts to renovate the Stables so that traders could resume operating. “We can’t tear the Stables down, and we can’t build or improve them either. About 600 traders can’t trade because the city is blocking it.
The previous closure of the Stables formed part of a broader redevelopment initiative by the municipality to upgrade the precinct surrounding the nearby Kings Park rugby stadium, with a multi-million-rand investment that included a new Stables Lifestyle Market. The plan was envisioned to reinvigorate the historic site as a lively, community-centred destination, yet Mills claimed the dream remained just that — “an unattainable aspiration”.
Stables Market Traders’ Plight
However, the former traders at the market opposed the city’s plans, resulting in a legal dispute that was eventually settled in 2020. Traders were then required to vacate the premises after the company managing the Stables lost a court battle to keep the market operational. This judicial decision paved the way for the erection of a soccer academy project in the area, which had originally been proposed in 2012.
Brace Ramnunan, the former chairperson of the traders’ group, said the state of the market had been declining over the years. Ramnunan said the city’s management unit had struggled to secure the funding necessary to renovate the market, which led to the facility’s condition deteriorating. He said the site’s decay was further exacerbated because the previous management team allegedly dismantled much of the infrastructure, worsening the market’s condition.
Challenges Faced by Traders
According to the South African Government, small businesses and traders play a vital role in the country’s economy. The traders at the Stables Market are no exception, and their struggles to operate have significant implications for the local community. The Western Cape Government has also acknowledged the importance of supporting small businesses and traders.
- Lack of funding for renovations
- Decline in market conditions
- Disputes over representation and leases
The series of events that led to the eventual closure involved disputes over representation and leases for traders, culminating in the court awarding a 30-year lease to Hoy Park Management for its soccer project in 2019. “When the market closed in 2019, some of the previous traders ripped the place apart. They tore down the building, took electrical fittings, and broke the toilets,” Ramnunan said.
