The majority of traders at the Verulam Morning Market are strongly opposing a recent municipal proposal to increase stall rental fees, citing financial challenges and operational difficulties at the market.
At a recent meeting held in the lower section of the Verulam Market, eThekwini Municipality’s Community Liaison Officer, Zinhle Nkwanyana, explained the specifics of the proposed increase. Depending on a vote, rentals would rise by either 5% or 10%. This means traders without facilities, who currently pay R47 per month, would see an increase of either R2.39 or R4.70, while those with full facilities and services, currently paying R398, would face an increase of R17.10 or R39.80.
When put to a vote, none of the traders supported the 10% increase, 27 traders accepted a 5% increase, while 39 traders outright rejected any increase.
A trader, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We have been facing issues here for years. Unfortunately, stall holders are often divided, and senior traders tend to dominate discussions. Many have been forced out of the market for pushing back. To fight this, we need to speak with one voice and focus on one problem at a time.”
In response to the proposed tariff hike, a petition signed by more than 70 traders not only rejected the increase but also called for a rental decrease, citing multiple concerns.
Traders argue that at the Verulam Morning Market, they operate only twelve half-days a month while paying high rental fees. Meanwhile, other markets, such as those in Phoenix and Verulam CBD, operate six days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and reportedly pay lower rental rates.
They further claim that escalating crime in the Verulam CBD is driving away customers and that unregistered informal traders on the streets—who allegedly pay much lower fees—are negatively impacting their businesses. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, business has reportedly dropped by over 50%, with customers opting to shop at supermarkets rather than at the morning market.
Market coordinator Xolani Mkhize defended the proposed increase, stating: “I think the municipality has been more than fair. There hasn’t been an increase in more than five years, and for two of those years, traders didn’t pay a cent due to Covid-19 and the unrest in July 2021. In that time, costs have risen across the board. The services we provide, such as electricity, water, sanitation, and refuse removal, all cost more. Now we are simply asking traders to meet us halfway.”
