UPDATE: Bruma business owners locked out of shops
“We came here ready to open our shops but the shops were closed. The security personnel would not let us open".
Shop owners in Bruma Oriental City were picketing outside the market after they were told to vacate and move to the New Bruma Oriental City, which is opposite the old one.
Shop owner, Ms Sibonokuhle Sibindi, said they were greeted by security officers this morning when they went to open for business.
“We came here ready to open our shops but the shops were closed. The security personnel would not let us open,” she said.
According to the shop owners, they were first given notices advising them that they will be moving to the new shops on March 28. This was then changed to March 23.
Another of the shop owners, Ms Thobeka Dlodlo, said they paid the deposit for the new shops and they don’t have a problem with moving in, but the new shops are not finished.
The EXPRESS was not allowed to go inside the new shopping centre, but it appeared as though construction work inside the centre was still in progress.
The shop owners who paid their deposits were allowed to enter and see the status of the work done, but were not given any protective gear on entering the premises.
Ms Dlodlo said, “My business partners and I paid a R40 000 deposit for the new shop but we cannot move in because it is still a construction site inside. It is not safe for us or our customers. Our shops on the other side are closed, but we paid rent. These new stores will only start operating on Monday next week. We cannot sit at home and do nothing while we have paid rent and are losing business.”
Attempts to speak to the management of the centre were unsuccessful.
