Trolleys cause a stir

For over 20 years, Edenvale street vendor Mr Patrick Ntsahangase, has tried to stay on the right side of the law.

Recently during a bylaw enforcement operation in the CBD, Mr Ntsahangase was arrested and his goods confiscated.

According to him, officers branded him a trouble maker before he was thrown into the back of a police vehicle.

“I was treated like a criminal. I did not do anything wrong,” he said.

Mr Ntsahangase, who owns a few public phones and takes photographs on Van Riebeeck Avenue, also has a smaller business selling sweets and cigarettes from a small stand.

Mr Ntsahangane believes his problems started with the implementation of street vendor trolleys in the CBD.

He was told he could have a trolley, but he offered it to someone else.

“My few things do not require a trolley. It would be more suited for someone who has many things to sell,” said Mr Ntsahangase.

“They said I will take a trolley whether I like it or not.

“The trolley arrived on the day I was arrested. It was dirty so I sent it to a friend to be cleaned,” he said.

“The officers arrived and asked me why I did not have a trolley. I tried to explain that it was being cleaned. They did not believe me and said I was causing trouble. They took all of my goods and arrested me. When my goods were finally returned to me, one of my phones was broken,” said Mr Ntsahangase.

Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, said Mr Ntsahangase broke his own phone in a “fit of anger”.

“He (Mr Ntsahangase) was allocated a trolley that accommodates his sweets with a door that can be lowered and used as a table where he can display his phones,” said Supt Kgasago.

“Mr Ntsahangase’s trolley was the only one appropriate to his needs,” he said.

According to the EMPD, the day after he had taken receipt of the trolley, Mr Ntsahangase was still not using the trolley and had his sweet stand in the middle of the pavement.

“He was obstructing pedestrian traffic and was given a verbal warning to use the trolley and to stop using wooden cabinets,” said Supt Kgasago.

“The next day he was still not complying and thus was issued with a notice in terms of prosecution in the form of a written warning to use the trolley,” he said.

On the third day, when officers arrived for inspection, his wares were still displayed on the pavement.

“Mr Ntsahangase was issued with a R500 fine and because the goods were the cause of an infringement, they were confiscated. He then claimed the trolley was dirty and it was explained to him that it is his responsibility to keep the trolley and the pavement where he plies his trade, clean,” said Supt Kgasago.

According to the EMPD, it was at this point when Mr Ntsahangase became loud and violent.

“Consequently, he was taken to the Metro Police offices in Edenvale. On arrival, he calmed down and apologised for his unbecoming behaviour,” said Supt Kgasago.

Mr Ntsahangase was told to pay the fine and collect his goods.

“He was issued with a stern warning and told that in the event of failing to comply, his permit would be revoked and his goods confiscated permanently.

“The broken phone for which he faults the EMPD, was broken by him when in a fit of anger, he flung it at the officers,” said Supt Kgasago.

“23 places were allocated by City Planning for informal traders and only 20 trolleys were available,” said Supt Kgasago.

He added that traders selling belts and food were not allocated trolleys because the trolleys were too small.

“The reason for allocating these informal traders with steel trolleys and umbrellas free of charge was for the purpose of beautification and uniformity in our town and to avoid an eyes-sore situation. It was also to prevent any obstruction to pedestrians,” said Supt Kgasago.

“This was explained to all the informal traders during a meeting that took place two months before they were handed the trolleys. The bylaw unit, in conjunction with the technical department, went out and painted all the authorised spots in yellow blocks as the area is still a pavement and meant for pedestrian traffic,” he added.

Supt Kgasago said the traders are only allowed to sell their goods within the painted blocks.