Whiff of controversy at Chatsworth market

AFTER six months, and two separate elections, it is yet to be established who the rightful leaders of the Chatsworth Fragrance Street Market are.

Two opposing groups each claim to be the legitimate head.

Last week, an executive committee was elected and Barbara Pillay appointed chairperson.

But the opposition group, headed by Keith Pillay, claimed that this committee was unlawful and in contempt of court because an executive committee was already in existence.

He said elections were held on February 22 at the market where he was appointed chairperson.

Since August last year, both have clashed over the leadership. groups

Established in 2004 by ethekwini Municipality, the market has more than 140 informal traders.

Said Keith Pillay: “Elections were held in August last year. We found that this was manipulated as the ethekwini municipality interfered in the proceedings.”

The matter was taken to the Durban High Court. In January, Judge Shyam Gyanda ruled that the results of the August election be set aside.

Gyanda ordered that elections be held within the next month, and the ethekwini Municipality refrain from participating.

“The traders held elections in February where an executive committee was elected. We adhered to the provisions set in the court ruling,” said Keith Pillay.

Pastor Selvan Govender, a member of the Chatsworth Shield (Strategic High Intervention and Engagement for Local Development) committee, confirmed he acted as the independent election officer at the February elections.

“Everything was done above board. We counted the votes in front of the traders, and no municipal officials were involved. Ward Councillor Previn Vedan was present as an observer,” said Govender.

The election this week fell outside the period stipulated by the court order.

But Barbara Pillay said her group only received the order last month.

“That is why the election was held on March 5,” she said.

The Market Users Committee chairperson, Nico Magwaza, said he was unaware that a second election had taken place at the market.

“The only election I know about is the one in February. In my view, there is a group of disgruntled traders who want to fulfil their own agenda and thus do not want to recognise the election that was held last month,” he said.

The chairpersons of each group have now both claimed leadership.

ZULU