Street vendor in Alberton cries foul amid confiscated goods
Hawker Lungile Mabaso is protesting after the EMPD confiscated his goods.
“The EMPD must stop its harassment, especially of the innocent.”
This startling statement was made by a hawker whose goods were confiscated by EMPD officers on April 14 in Alberton CBD before they were returned to him on April 19.
Father of two from Orange Farm Lungile Mabaso, who has been a vendor for six years, has resorted to borrowing money from a loan shark just to put bread on the table.
He told the RECORD four EMPD officers seized his goods while he went to buy more products, leaving his goods unattended.
Upon arrival, he said three cooler boxes containing refreshments had been confiscated.
“I was out when they got here. They took my goods and placed them in a minibus. I was told the officers had just left. I rushed off to the nearest taxi rank, where I found them. I asked for my products and they refused. That’s when I asked to count my stock before they left with it,” he said.
Mabaso said after asking to count his goods before being taken away, a male officer refused and manhandled him before calling for backup.
“They said I should go to their offices in Swartkoppies, but I asked them how because I wasn’t issued any receipt. This is the only thing I do to survive, so imagine since Thursday. They know me. I don’t know why they did that,” he said.
Lt-Col Kelebogile Thepa, EMPD spokesperson, said the health and social development department made a request in June 2021 regarding hawkers.
“It stated all hawkers or vendors not complying with health and by-law legislations should be removed from streets and main intersections. We, EMPD Alberton Precinct, immediately conducted the roadshow where each and every illegal trader was given a verbal warning and the plea. It was monitored and we took note that the lawbreakers persisted,” she said.
According to Thepa, each time they pay some of them a visit, they run in different directions, leaving some of their items behind and not long, they would eventually come back.
“The EMPD Alberton Precinct engaged and made necessary arrangements with relevant City of Ekurhuleni stakeholders to make time and educate hawkers or vendors on how to apply for a trading permit and the gathering, held on February 15 at the Alberton Civic Centre,” she said.
EMPD’s Impoundment policy:
• Perishable goods will be destroyed after 24 hours.
• Impoundment fees R50.
• Storage fees R50 per day or any parts thereof.
• Payment can be made at Swartkoppies Road (EMPD).
• Goods can be collected at Swartkoppies Road (EMPD) 08:00 to 15:30 from Monday to Friday.
• When collecting goods proof of payment must be presented, with ID or passport.
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