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Durban market problems continue
October 14, 2009
Several traders previously opposed to Durban's controversial market development on Wednesday changed tack and demanded it start immediately.
More than 100 of them marched from Durban's Curries Fountain stadium to the city hall where they were expected to hand over a memorandum.
When the plan to give Durban's early morning market a facelift was announced five months ago, traders fiercely opposed it.
The municipality wanted to put a multi-million rand development, which would include a shopping centre, on the site.
Traders complained they were going to lose business if the project went ahead and took the eThekwini municipality to court.
However, on Wednesday the group wanted the project to go ahead immediately, saying it would benefit them.
Nathi Mbatha, one of the march leaders, said traders who continued to oppose the project had their own "hidden motive".
"We know that they have their own motive and we are not going to entertain them. The municipality and the provincial government have engaged us on this matter and we believe that the project should start now," said Mbatha.
Roy Chetty of the Early Morning Market Support Group said his organisation condemned traders who organised the march, saying that the protesters were promoting the interests of big businesses.
We know that they have made a deal with the municipality. We really condemn what they have done because it will not help hundreds of traders who stand to lose their living.
He said the traders who marched had betrayed hundreds of traders who opposed the demolishing of the 99-year-old market.
Chetty vowed his organisation would continue opposing the demolition of the market, saying the new development would not be a win-win situation.
He accused the municipality of using the divide and rule tactic when dealing with traders' concerns.
They have not engaged us in good faith. What they are good at is to divide us as traders.
They now speak to one group of traders which now support the demolition.
Two court applications were lodged recently against the development.
Advocate Jay Naidoo filed an application on behalf on the traders, asking the court to stop the demolition.
The second application was lodged by the Legal Resource Centre. - Sapa
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