Africa-Press – Botswana. The City of Francistown has defended its decision to demolish the central market stalls, despite protests from the illegal occupants who claim to have been given little notice. The City Clerk, Mr Stephen Motlogelwa, argued that the evictions were legal, citing a court order that ruled that the vendors were occupying the area illegally.
Mr Motlogelwa said the council was acting in accordance with a court order that ruled the vendors were illegally occupying the market. He acknowledged that the occupants may not have been expecting the evictions, but said the council was merely following the law.
He noted that the council had been working with the occupants for some time to find a solution, but that ultimately the court order had to be enforced.
“It is not because they (illegal vendors) were caught off guard,” he said. “We are implementing a court order issued by the Francistown High Court, declaring them as illegal occupants of the place.”
He said the decision to sell the market to a private developer was motivated by the need to revitalise the area.
“The market stall buildings were in a state of disrepair and were not in keeping with the overall aesthetic of the city centre,” he added. “The council saw the sale as an opportunity to improve the appearance of the area and attract new investment.”
Mr Motlogelwa said the vendor’s stalls were also seen as a hindrance to the overall development of the area. He said the issue dates back to 2004 when the occupants were informed about their illegal occupation of the area, which at that time had been sold to a private developer, Amasa Civils.
In addition to the legal dispute, Mr Motlogelwa said, the council also points to the unsanitary conditions of the market area and spoke of the need for its redevelopment.
“The market had become a source of concern for public health officials, who expressed concerns about food being sold in such unsanitary conditions,” he added.
He explained that the council’s decision to sell the market to a property developer was seen as a way to address these concerns and bring new investment to the area.
Meanwhile, tears streamed down the faces of the vendors as they watched the yellow construction equipment demolish their market stalls, which they said was the source of their livelihoods. The vendors, many of whom were women supporting their families, looked on in despair as their businesses were destroyed in front of them.
Some clutched the few possessions they were able to save, while others sat on the ground, too shocked to move. The scene was one of utter devastation. The occupants maintain that they were not given enough time to relocate, and were calling for greater support from the government.
One of the vendors, Ms Annah Majabane of Matshelagabedi, said the decision to evict them without notice lacked natural justice.
Ms Majabane expressed frustration with the timing of the eviction, saying: “We are not refusing to relocate, but we need time to find an alternative place to do our businesses.
“The council has given us a very short notice, and we have not yet found the resources to find a new place to relocate to,” she added.
She explained that the decision was made without considering their circumstances and did not allow for natural justice.
She said crime was going to increase because most of the dependents of the vendors are going to look for other means of making a living and being involved in crime will be the only option.
Ms Tendai Mbakile, another vendor, who could not hold her tears, explained that the council could have given them enough time so that they do not incur loses.
Ms Mbakile said most of them had employed many people as cooks and that they have not paid them their dues.
“We are totally disappointed by the decision of the council for having no mercy upon us,” she added.
The central market place was constructed some years ago with the sole purpose of leasing the stalls to a certain Ms Getrude Mmile and 54 others.
The stalls were meant to empower and migrate the tenants from poverty. Upon such migration would be given to the next deserving members of the community through the selection criteria to be adopted by the applicant. In 2004, it was resolved that the stalls usage was overtaken by events, hence the central market place needed redevelopment and the tender to redevelop the central market was awarded to Amasa Civils. Ms Mmile and others were relocated to other locations depending on the kind of economic activities they were involved in.
Those who were evicted yesterday are the ones who illegally occupied the area after the first occupants (Ms Mmile and others) had been relocated and they have been staying there illegal hence the December 24 High Court ruling that ordered for their eviction.
DAILYNEWS
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