Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya says she is too cute for jail as city scrambles to comply with court order on fresh produce market. Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya said she doesn’t expect to see the inside of a prison cell as the city rushes to comply with a court order to fix the troubled fresh produce market. Earlier this month, the metro was found guilty of contempt of court for not complying with an October 2022 judgment, which ordered the municipality to upgrade and maintain the market. Among other things, the city was ordered to ensure the market is fire and smoke detection compliant, purchase generators and evaporator coils with the R18 million annual budget allocated for the market. Moya said addressing the market’s shortcomings is top of the agenda ahead of the court’s deadline and the city’s upcoming inaugural investment summit.
Court Finds Tshwane in Contempt Over Market Failures
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria hit Tshwane Municipality with a contempt ruling on 2 August 2025, saying the city ignored a 2022 order to sort out safety and upkeep at the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market. The original case came from the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa in January 2022, when they took the city to court for letting the market fall apart under bad management.
The 2022 judgement told Tshwane to fix fire safety, buy backup power like generators, replace broken evaporator coils for cold rooms, and keep up with health rules. They got R18 million a year for this, but did little. Traders and agents said dangers like faulty wiring, leaks, and poor fridges hurt business and risked lives. A big fire in 2021 burned part of the market, costing millions and showing the risks.
Magistrate’s words were clear: the city broke the law by not acting, putting people at risk. Tshwane had to file papers by 6 September 2025 showing fixes, or leaders like Mayor Moya could face jail or fines. This is not the first trouble – protests in 2023 shut the market over bad conditions, and traders lost stock from power cuts.
Moya, who took over in late 2024 after a coalition shift, said her team is on it. “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 that it works and that it benefits our clients. I am too cute for jail, so I’m planning not to go to jail.” Her light-hearted quip drew laughs but showed the pressure.
City’s Rush to Meet Deadline and Plans Ahead
Tshwane has moved fast since the ruling. A precinct plan got the nod at a Mayco meeting on 20 August 2025, and an operations plan is ready for the agents. These will go in the city’s court papers. Moya said the plans cover fire checks, generators, coils, and more.
The city also passed a new bylaw for the market, aiming for clear rules on trading, safety, and fees. This ties into the inaugural investment summit in September 2025, where Tshwane wants to draw business and fix its image as a hub for trade.
The market, Africa’s second biggest after Joburg’s, handles R4.5 billion in trade yearly and gives jobs to over 5,000 people. It feeds Gauteng and beyond with fresh fruit and veggies. But years of neglect – broken roofs, bad drains, no power backups – have chased traders away and cut income.
Past admins blamed budget cuts and old pipes, but critics say corruption and poor planning are the real culprits. In 2023, Cogta stepped in with help, but little changed. Now, with jail on the line, Moya’s team vows full fixes.
Background: Long-Running Troubles at Tshwane Market
The market’s woes go back years. Built in 1974 in Silverton, Pretoria, it grew into a key spot for farmers and buyers. But by the 2010s, upkeep slipped. Fires in 2017 and 2021 wrecked halls, costing R50 million in fixes and lost trade.
Traders protested often, blocking roads over poor lights, security, and cold rooms. In 2022, the court sided with agents, ordering upgrades in 90 days. Tshwane missed deadlines, leading to contempt.
Health checks found rat problems, mould, and fire risks, breaking food safety laws. Power cuts from loadshedding ruined stock, with no generators despite promises.
The market’s role in food security is huge – it supplies shops, schools, and hospitals. Delays hurt small farmers and raise prices for buyers.
Broader Issues in Municipal Management
Tshwane’s case shows bigger problems in South African cities. Many face court fights over bad services, like water in Hammanskraal or roads in Joburg. Cogta reports over 60 municipalities in distress, with poor audits and debt.
For Tshwane, under DA-led coalitions since 2016, this adds to knocks on delivery. Opposition like ANC and EFF slam it as proof of weak leadership. But Moya, from ActionSA, says her admin is cleaning up old messes.
The investment summit aims to bring R10 billion in projects, focusing on trade hubs like the market. If fixed, it could create 2,000 jobs and boost the economy.
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