ANC Cllr, Naeem Patel, has once more been accused of misleading the community, especially those residents affected by the Marabastad Retail Fruit & Veg Market closure, after he stayed away from a crucial meeting at the Tshwane Council, to vote on a motion brought by the DA, to re-open the market immediately.
Issued by: Cllr Dumisani Thwala & Cllr Novina Pillay (DA).
City of Tshwane Council – 31 July 2025 Subject: Councillor Naeem Patel’s Absence During Urgent Motion on Marabastad Market “Today, (July 31) the City of Tshwane Council debated and voted on an urgent motion (brought by the DA) aimed at protecting the livelihoods of traders at the Marabastad Fruit and Vegetable Market (commonly known as the Indian Market). This motion, submitted under Section 7(1), 7(2), and 7(3) of the Rules and Orders By-Laws (2012), seeks to reopen the market and implement measures to support informal traders across the City. The debate and subsequent vote were shot down by the ANC, EFF, ActionSA led Tshwane Council. Despite the gravity of the matter and its direct impact on thousands of residents, ANC Councillor Naeem Patel was notably absent from the Council meeting.
This absence is deeply disappointing, especially in light of his public message to residents claiming to be “working tirelessly” to assist stall owners and engage city leadership. While he speaks of meetings and outreach efforts, his failure to attend the very forum where decisive action was being taken speaks louder than any statement. Councillor Patel’s conduct reflects a troubling pattern of speaking with a forked tongue, saying one thing to the public while doing another in practice. His absence today denied him the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the traders he claims to support and to vote in favour of a motion that could have brought immediate relief.
Leadership demands courage, especially when the stakes are high. Dodging accountability by avoiding a vote is not only a betrayal of the residents who elected him, but also a disservice to the democratic process.
We, as councillors committed to transparency and economic justice, reaffirm our support for the urgent motion and call on all public representatives to act with integrity and consistency. The people of Tshwane deserve leaders who show up not just in words, but in action.”