HAWKERS in Kempton Park central business district (CBD) faced the brunt of the law on Friday when the metro police rolled out its bumper to bumper operation in full force.
This special by-law operation targeted
streets notorious for hawkers blatantly disobeying the by-laws, namely Pretoria Road, Central Avenue, Albatross Street, Long Street and West Street, said metro police spokesman, Lt Col Wilfred Kgasago.
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“Hawkers plying their trade without the necessary documentation, pedestrian sidewalks obstructed by hawkers failing to adhere to regulations, vehicles using sidewalks as parking lots and selling of counterfeit goods were some of the offences targeted on Friday between 2pm and 10pm.
One hawker operating a public phone service without a permit and obstructing the sidewalk was slapped with a R200 fine and five of his phones, 40 hairpieces and 50 razor blades were confiscated.
Twenty-five hawkers trading illegally fled when they sighted the metro police approaching, leaving behind their wares on illegally constructed stands and blockading the sidewalks. Among the seized goods were furniture, footwear, cosmetics, toys, counterfeit back packs, hats, jewellery, cellphone and i-Pad covers, as well as counterfeit DVDs and CDs. Highly perishables such as fruits and vegetables were also seized.
The confiscated goods can be re-claimed from the EMPD offices in Spartan on payment of a R200 fine and R150 for storage fees. Perishables will be discarded if not claimed within 48 hours and a three to seven day grace period will be afforded for non-perishables.
