Stables tenants to fight eviction order

ETHEKWINI’s eviction notices on tenants of the Newmarket Stables and the Stables Lifestyle Market have been met with shock and outrage.

Ward councillor Martin Meyer expressed his concern saying processes were not being correctly followed. “According to the decision taken last year, the City Manager was mandated to advertise the city’s intention to lease the land to Hoy Park Management and to send a report to the Bid Adjudication Committee regarding this matter. This seems not to have been done, and thus the lease has not yet been signed with Hoy Park Management. The city manager was also mandated to engage with the current tenants. This too has not happened,” he said.

Meyer said the city had not offered suitable new premises to the tenants, which left them with one month to find new premises and move.

“The DA supports the development of a Soccer Academy in the city to the benefit to all residents, but it cannot be done at the cost of other existing sporting codes, or lead to the loss of income for many Durban families,” he said.

Meyer has a meeting with the City Manager on Friday regarding the matter, and has submitted questions to Council which will be discussed on 30 August.

Jeff van Belkum, who has been active in the fight to save the Newmarket Stables, slated the council’s conduct as “unconstitutional.” “The abuse of power is quite astounding but has been a revelation. We have faith in the justice system and independent judiciary and are proceeding accordingly. What we need right now is an answer to the question of why the Berea Rovers Sports Club has not been served with an eviction order. They are after all on the same property! Ultimately, the truth will out,” he said.

According to Nadine Parker from the Newmarket Stables, this was devastating news for Newmarket Stables and the market.

“Newmarket riding school is a part of Durban’s history, riding provides benefits and skills to the youth of durban on so many levels. Once the school is gone there will no longer be easy access to horse riding for the children of Durban and surrounding areas. Many of the disabled riders who currently benefit for the sport will no longer have access unless they are prepared to travel to Shongweni area and this poses both a financial and time problem for many of the parents.”

Parker said what was startling was that they had never once been approached by Council, no impact study or environmental study was ever done and no consultation with affected parties had ever been held.

“I feel this matter is a good case for High Court intervention. We have only one chance to save this historical site and keep horse riding as a sport in Durban,” she said.

Laurence Clark, a stall holder from the Stables Lifestyle Market said he had not yet been told anything. “I have been told that we are not in the same position as the Newmarket Stables. I’m sure this is going to impact on the traders in one way or another,” he said.