The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) says goods confiscated from Sunninghill informal trader Dumisa Phoko during a by-law enforcement operation on October 13 were taken to its Marlboro pound.

The response follows a complaint by Phoko that officers confiscated his goods without issuing a receipt during an operation at the intersection of Naivasha and Leeuwkop roads. JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla told the Fourways Review that an official impoundment notice was issued for the confiscated items. However, Phoko maintains that he did not receive a receipt. The Fourways Review was present during the operation and did not observe one being issued to him. DA Ward 96 candidate Tracy Kensey, who was also present, also raised concerns about the confiscation and the procedures followed.

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The Fourways Review followed up with Fihla, asking when the receipt was issued and explaining that neither the journalist nor Phoko had seen or received one during the operation. The publication also noted that other traders had received receipts during previous informal trading operations witnessed by the reporter.

Phoko, a father of five who relies on street trading to support his family, previously said the loss of his goods had set him back financially. He also alleged that JMPD officers take confiscated goods to sell in townships.

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“The JMPD strongly refutes any claims that confiscated property is resold or unlawfully appropriated by officers,” Fihla said. He said the confiscated items, including snacks and merchandise, were transported to and registered at the official Marlboro pound. He added that Phoko can collect his goods after paying the prescribed impoundment and storage fees.

The operation drew further criticism from Kensey, who questioned why Phoko was targeted while four other vendors were operating at the same intersection. Kensey called for consistent and humane enforcement of municipal by-laws.

Fihla described the operation as routine by-law enforcement by officers patrolling Ward 93, rather than a planned or targeted special operation, urging informal traders to comply with the city’s informal trading by-laws to avoid enforcement action and the impoundment of their goods.

The Fourways Review has requested further clarification from the JMPD on when and how the receipt was issued, given that Phoko said he did not receive one and neither he, Kensey nor the journalist present observed it being issued during the operation.

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