Construction resumes on long-delayed R200m Marite mall

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30-06-2025
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Motor News
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The shopping centre, located along the R40, is expected to create jobs and boost economic growth in the area.

Construction of the long-awaited R200m Marite Shopping Centre, which was stalled nearly 20 years ago, has resumed. Progress was originally halted after it was discovered that the selected site contained the graves of some of the area’s earliest settlers, belonging to nine families.

At the time, the families refused to allow the relocation of their loved ones’ remains, bringing the development to a standstill. Now, eight of the families have agreed to the exhumation and reburial of the graves at the local cemetery.

The final exhumations took place on June 7 and 8. The Matsane family is among those who reburied their relatives.

The family’s spokesperson, Kgaugelo Matsane, said their decision was motivated by the economic benefits the development would bring to Marite. “The building of the mall will create jobs and boost entrepreneurship. Most people in the community are unemployed, and this project offers an opportunity for them to find work close to home and change their lives. The crime rate will also likely decline,” said Matsane.

One family continues to oppose the exhumation. Their graves remain untouched, and they have declined to comment. According to the land developer and investor, Dr Norah Fakude, the families were compensated for the exhumation process.

“We covered the costs of grave digging, reburial, coffins and catering during the ceremonies. In addition, an amount of R1 000 per grave was paid to each family,” Fakude said.

Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena of the Mathibela Traditional Council said the families were fully consulted and were able to conduct their rituals during the reburials. “The exhumation of remains is a sensitive, demanding and complex process. But we managed to work together and focus on the bigger picture – creating economic growth for our community,” he said.

Mokoena added that many residents would be relieved to have a shopping centre on their doorstep, rather than travelling to Hazyview or Bushbuckridge for basic supplies. The first phase of the mall – a filling station – has already been completed and will begin operating soon. Work on the second phase is now under way.