It was a heartbreaking scene as the vendors in the CBD market place watched in despair as the city's bulldozers demolished their stalls and shops.
Some vendors expressed their frustration and anger at the situation, while others simply stood in shock.
The city's decision to demolish the market was the result of a legal battle that ended in December 2023, when the Francistown High Court ruled in favour of the Francistown City Council (FCC). FCC approached the Francistown High Court in May in a bid to secure an eviction order after the long-running standoff between the local authority and the vendors.
For over five years the vendors have been resisting calls to relocate as they argued that other alternative spaces offered by the council were not suitable for their businesses.
The vendors at the CBD market place sell variety of goods, including food, clothing, electronics and shoe repairs amongst others. On the other hand, council authorities have argued that the land where the market is situated can only be fairly rewarding if turned into a new state-of-the-art Central Business District (CBD). In 2020 Amasa, a 100 % citizen-owned company, was awarded the rights to build a modern business complex at the central market plot under a 25-year lease during which the firm will pay the FCC a fee of P28, 000 a month. However, the redevelopment of the market has been hampered by vendors who were reluctant to move.
The CBD market place vendors association chairperson, Mogomotsi Moleele, confirmed with Mmegi that they were willing to leave the area but there was need to be offered an alternative space that is suitable for their businesses. He was upset by the way the demolition was carried out, because the council gave them no prior notice and simply hit them and told them to remove their belongings. As a result, some vendors who were not present at the time lost their belongings along with their stalls which caused significant losses, added Moleele. Additionally, 73-year-old vendor Florence Ndlovu who has been selling food at the market for more than 24 years, stated that FCC had been giving them notice to move, but that they had nowhere else to go. “We were first served with notice in 2004, but we were not offered any viable alternatives for our businesses,” said the vendor.
Ndlovu suggested that the FCC could have moved them to the currently unused Boikhutso Park, which would have put them closer to their customers. However, they were told that they could move to Block Two or near the Francistown/Ramokgwebana border road on grounds that the area is crime-infested. Reginah Madikwe, another vendor, said that the demolition was unfair and came without any warning. She explained that she didn't have time to find other housing. Madikwe said that selling food is her only source of income and that she was able to support her four children through her business. She expressed concern for her future, as she no longer has a way to make a living. Ruth Godisamang, another vendor, stated that they received an eviction order from the High Court on December 15, 2023.
“We had tried to approach the council to ask for more time, but we were not given any response. We were all caught off guard by the demolition,” she said. She expressed her sadness and frustration, saying that she had no idea what to do next. Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown West, Ignatius Moswaane was also disappointed by the demolition of the market place, which had been blocked by the council in the past. He pointed out that many vendors solely rely on the income from their small businesses. He also criticised the government for their "reckless" and "incompetent" handling of the situation. Furthermore, an elderly Botswana Congress Party (BCP) veteran Vain Mamela, agreed that the eviction was unjust. He explained that vendors play an important role in the local economy by providing employment and supporting local suppliers.
He argued that the council's actions would only make the situation worse, leading to increased poverty and crime. Mamela also expressed concern that the private developer who would take over the space would charge high rentals, making it impossible for vendors to return. He argued that this would only benefit the wealthy, while the poor would suffer. According to Francistown mayor, Godisang Radisigo, the council has given the vendors approximately five weeks for them to find a new place to trade, instead of having them removed immediately after the court order.
Radisigo also said that the demolition is necessary to allow the developer to take control of the site and begin work on the new project. He said that the developer was running out of time to start developing the market..
