Though entrants are required to sign in at the Markman Fresh Produce Market after the on-site abduction of a market agent’s wife in June, security risks remain due to non-functional CCTV cameras, absence of panic buttons and open sections of the boundary walls.
After numerous incidents, which included armed robbers making off with R300,000, market agents say the measures are still inadequate and it is hurting their pockets.
The front entrance boom is still missing and the security device designed to restrict vehicle access is non-functional, leaving no means to prevent unauthorised vehicle entry or exit.
Market agent Ronald Dickson of Gouws and Co said while there were small improvements, more needed to be done.
“People get robbed and they do not come [back], look at today? It is dead quiet for a Thursday at the market.
“We are losing business. People do not want to come.
“The agents are trying to look after each other, talk to buyers, advise the guys working at the back, but there is only so much we can do.
“We need the Metro Police to come and the municipality to move quicker,” he said.
Lindsay Knowlden, 67, was kidnapped shortly after arriving at work at the market at 6am in June with her husband.
She has since returned home.
However, her sister-in-law, Lisa O’Grady, who helps her brother at the market, said she now parked inside the building because the lack of lights around the premises still meant anyone could walk in.
“It’s the first time in about three years since I have been working here that [security] stops you and gets details,” she said.
“We start at 6am and there is hardly any light by the parking and people used to drive in and out.
“A car followed Lindsay inside to the parking. They drove in, kidnapped her and drove out with security right there,” she said.
Knowlden’s husband and Institute of Market Agents chair, Peter, said economic development political head Bassie Kamana and his executive director, Wandisile Makwabe, had been hands-on in trying to turn things around.
“My wife was kidnapped, the most unpleasant experience, and she is still recovering from that.
“A completely unnecessary occurrence and I have warned the security many times before about being watchful.
“The security in the past has been very inadequate and we have lost a lot of business due to the crime which has been on the rise in the area.
“Things can be turned around with the interventions that are being introduced but they have to be implemented,” he said.
Kamana said it was crucial to turn the market around because it was a big investment which was not bringing in returns.
“We need the safety and security department to come on board with the Metro Police.
“The wall is going up and lights are being fixed but proper security is needed because the crime is driving away people,” he said.
The DA has called for a comprehensive security risk assessment to be done at the facility.
This week, DA councillor Jason Grobbelaar sent a letter to acting city manager Ted Pillay in which he said security at the facility was being completely neglected.
“We are calling on Pillay to commission an urgent formal security risk assessment within the next 30 days and to implement a clear action plan to address these failures.
“The safety of our market agents, staff and the public must be a priority,” he said.
The party conducted an oversight visit of the facility last week.
“What we found was deeply concerning, there are no functioning CCTV cameras, no panic buttons, no proper access control measures put in place, poor lighting and a fence full of openings undermining the site’s overall security.
“Market agents and staff are at the site as early as 4am.
“Municipal security guards are unequipped and rely on personal cellphones for communication,” Grobbelaar said.
The crisis at the market has been ongoing for years.
In 2022, then safety and security political head Lawrence Troon tried to drum up an intervention after armed robbers made off with R300,000.
The plan was to include the municipality finalising a contract with a CCTV camera provider for the metro, increasing the number of guards and getting Metro Police to conduct patrols at night.
Municipal spokesperson Sithembile Soyaya did not respond to questions.
The Herald
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