JOHANNESBURG – Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya says she has no intention of ending up behind bars, as the City of Tshwane scrambles to comply with a court order to repair and maintain the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, one of South Africa’s most critical food distribution hubs.
Earlier this month, the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to act on an October 2022 judgment instructing the city to urgently address the deteriorating state of the market. The judgment followed legal action by the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA), which has long criticized the city for its failure to meet basic operational and safety standards at the facility.
At a media briefing, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya assured the public and stakeholders that the city is taking the matter seriously and working around the clock to comply with the court’s instructions before the deadline.
“The approach is quite simple — we need the fresh produce market to work, and as this administration, we will do whatever it takes to make sure it benefits our clients,” said Moya. “I am too cute for jail, so I’m planning not to go to jail.”
Tshwane Mayor Under Pressure to Deliver
While Moya delivered the remark in jest, the situation is no laughing matter. The court ruling places the city under strict legal obligations, and non-compliance could result in direct consequences for the municipal leadership, including potential imprisonment for contempt.
The Tshwane Mayor Fresh Produce Market, a critical supplier to both local and national food retailers, has suffered from years of infrastructure decay, lack of investment, and mismanagement. In January 2022, IMASA filed legal papers against the municipality — then under a different administration — citing neglect and failure to maintain health and safety standards.
The court’s October 2022 ruling ordered the city to address a list of urgent issues, including:
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Installing fire and smoke detection systems
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Procuring generators to ensure power reliability
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Replacing damaged evaporator coils
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Developing and implementing a full precinct plan
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Using the R18 million annual budget appropriately for market upgrades
Despite the clear directives, the municipality failed to implement the court’s instructions in the months that followed, leading to the recent contempt of court finding.
Tshwane Mayor said that swift progress has been made under the current administration. A precinct plan was finalized during a Mayoral Committee (Mayco) meeting this past Wednesday and an operational plan is now also available for IMASA’s review.
These documents, she confirmed, will be included in the city’s answering affidavit to the court and outline the steps the metro intends to take to restore functionality and compliance at the market.
“We’ve prioritized this issue, not just because of the court order, but because the market is a critical economic engine for the city,” said Moya.
To further ensure long-term improvements and transparent governance at the facility, the Tshwane Mayor confirmed that a new market bylaw has been approved. This bylaw is expected to strengthen the regulatory framework under which the market operates, improving accountability and operational efficiency.
In addition, Moya linked the urgency of the repairs to the city’s upcoming Investment Summit, which she described as an opportunity to showcase Tshwane’s commitment to economic development and infrastructure revitalization.
“The market must reflect the kind of investment destination we want Tshwane Mayor to be seen as,” she said. “Investors won’t come if we can’t manage a facility this important.”
While IMASA has yet to release a formal statement on the city’s latest developments, sources within the organization have indicated that they will be closely reviewing the new documents submitted by the city. Their legal team is expected to assess whether the precinct and operational plans meet the standards outlined in the original court order.
Should the city fail to satisfy the court’s conditions by the deadline, individual accountability could come into play, making Mayor Moya’s humorous jail comment a potential reality.
With the clock ticking, the spotlight remains firmly on Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and her ability to turn legal pressure into swift, effective action. The Fresh Produce Market serves not only as a commercial hub but also as a lifeline for countless traders, farmers, and consumers who rely on its operation daily.
Her administration now faces a defining test: can it restore the market in time, avoid further legal consequences, and rebuild public trust?
As Moya puts it — she plans not to go to jail. The next few weeks will determine whether that plan holds.
Source- EWN
