THOHOYANDOU - Disputes among the Thulamela Municipality, the Boulevard Tenant Association and the Vhembe Bus Operators Association would lead to the closure of more than ten shops in Thohoyandou.

The dispute started when the Thulamela Municipality removed buses from the old rank to the Capricorn Plaza. The Boulevard Tenant Association said ever since the buses were moved to Capricorn Plaza, business have been collapsing gradually. The Municipality allegedly neglected a memorandum sent by the Boulevard Tenant Association on 15 January, demanding to meet with the Municipal Manager.

According to a spokesperson for the Boulevard Tenant Association, the Municipality's secretary told them that the Municipal Manager could not attend to them, due to some office work.

Several letters were submitted to the Municipality but there was no response, they said.

The Boulevard Tenant Association proposes to upgrade the old bus rank to such a standard as to accommodate passengers loading and off-loading, alleviating the current conjunction of traffic flow in the vicinity. They also propose that a professional team be consulted to include a town planner, architect and a traffic engineer.

It is also said that the Boulevard Tenant Association also requested the Municipality to include the requirement of the Vhembe and Mabirimisa Bus Operators.

The new bus rank is able to take 18 buses at one time. It is small and could be used by buses to Malamulele and Tshikonelo. Buses from the new rank would take time to reach the main road, whereas the old bus rank is accessible and nearer to the main road. This rank needs to be improved to cater for buses and loading vehicles at the Boulevard shopping complex, they said.

Both bus ranks must be used together in Thohoyandou and that would be a step in the right direction and will benefit passengers and customers, the association said.

The Manager of Pie City, Mr Lawrence Makhado, said the shop might be closed because there have been no customers since the relocation of the bus rank to the Capricorn Plaza. The Manager of Snip Shop, Mr Bethuel Mbedzi, told Mirror that the removal of the bus rank to Capricorn Plaza would make his shop inaccessible to customers. Should the Municipality continue being silent and not appear to solve problems that led to the relocation, the shop would be closed and the unemployment rate in Thohoyandou will increase, he said.

Mr Micro Tshipani, manager at Discom said his shop is not reaching its daily target. Out of seven employees, Discom has retrenched two casual workers, who were assisting during weekends. Discom has already closed its stores in Seshego and Burgersford.

Workers at the Rose Marry Bakery said they are not satisfied with the Thulamela Municipality. Express Clothing Store and Pep store said they are losing each an every day. They need the buses to resume their business at the old rank so that their businesses could thrive, they said.