15 August 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - All is not well at the Matlosana Fresh Produce Market - even a blind man can see it.
These words belong to a local market agent who asked to remain anonymous in fear of retribution when he spoke out about the dire conditions at this active economic hub of the city. With the filth they can still work, but what irks market agents the most, is the continuous late payments received from the municipality. So much so, that some suppliers have taken their produce elsewhere, leading to a shortage in some fresh produce which in turn will hit consumers with price hikes.
Market agents are apparently also forced to tender to keep their businesses, without any consultation, placing their contracts with suppliers at risk. Once ranked 6th out of 21 fresh produce markets nationally, Matlosana has now slipped to 9th place, said Cllr Johannes le Grange.
He visited the market last week and said he was shocked about the conditions he uncovered during an unannounced visit to the market. “Vandalism is extensive, not a single door is intact, and security is nearly non-existent. There were no functional or clean toilets available for workers or visitors on the market floor, forcing people to resort to unsanitary alternatives. The floor-cleaning machine has been broken for two years, with no effort made to repair it, leaving the market in a filthy state - arguably one of the dirtiest in South Africa.’’
He added that only 20% of the fruit ripening refrigeration plant is operational, forcing major suppliers - including some of the largest banana suppliers - to divert their products to other markets.
Nick Mapheelle, spokesman for the mayor, denies these allegations saying it is malicious. He said the Executive Mayor and the MMC of Local Economic Development undertook their own inspection of the facility and are satisfied with the improvements done to the Fresh Produce Market by all the municipal departments which were assigned work. “The DA visited the facility when work was already in progress to do the necessary maintenance.’’
It seems deep cleaning at the market was done after the DA’s visit and continued this week. According to Mapheelle, the environmental health inspectorate issued a certificate on Tuesday August 12 citing an improvement in the cleanliness and hygiene of the market.
“On the allegation that there are no functional toilets for workers and visitors, nothing is further from the truth. The municipality’s building section is busy fixing non-functional ablution facilities at the market, however, there are functional toilets in the administration block for staff as well as toilets for agents which are all working and kept clean every day. All these toilets are accessible to everybody including visitors.’’
He said two heavy-duty floor machines have been purchased and are awaiting delivery. “There is continuous maintenance of the cooling and ripening room, and therefore the assertion that it is non-functional is utterly untrue. The refrigeration system at the market is at 80% operational and not at 20% as cited by the DA.’’
Regarding payment to market agents, Mapheelle said agents at the market were previously trading without valid contracts. “New contracts were signed and expired on June 30. A tender has since been advertised and agents are expected to follow due process in order to operate legally. The municipality will not tolerate people who are not willing to abide by the law to operate at the market and as such we plead for cooperation by all our market agents.’’
He said the municipality is committed to transparent and fair dealings with market agents, ensuring payments are made following Service Level Agreements.
In response to this, Cllr Le Grange said he stands by his statement about the market. “If cleaning is in progress, then I am very glad my visit to the market brought some good.’’
