By Teboho Serutla
Yesterday’s damage to the roofing of the Khubetsoana Market has exposed longstanding grievances by vendors who accuse the Maseru City Council of neglecting and perpetually failing to maintain the market.
A large section of the markets roof was blown off by strong winds yesterday, leaving tenants stranded and fearing for their safety and that of their goods.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of being kicked out of the premises, the angry vendors told theReporter: “MCC has never bothered to come address the problems at this market. This has been going on for years. It’s not the first time such destruction is happening. A few years ago, the same section was butted by fire and, apart from evicting the tenant who was responsible for the fire, MCC never bothered to repair the damage. It was only fixed by a volunteer.”
The vendors further accused MCC of ignoring their requests to install sanitation facilities at the market, which they describe as unfit for human occupancy.
“We do not have toilets, water and rubbish bins. This place is not even electrified. MCC once sent contractors four years ago to survey the building, but until now there hasn’t been any electricity connection.”
Approached for comment, MCC communications manager ‘Makatleho Mosala said she was aware of the damage caused by Sunday’s heavy winds to the Khubetsoana Market, but was in the dark about the other concerns raised by the tenants.
