The EMPD By-Law Compliance and Enforcement Unit has confiscated goods from illegal hawkers following complaints received from businesses across Ekurhuleni.
Officers attended to complaints in Thembisa, Isando, Elandsfontein and Boksburg, where businesses reported that hawkers were occupying private property and refusing to leave when requested by property owners.
Complaints were received from several areas, including Porcelain Road in Clayville, Pretoria Road and the R562, R21 Pretoria Road and Witfontein Road in Thembisa, Monteer and Brewery streets in Isando, Essex Road in Elandsfontein and Denne Road in Boksburg.
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EMPD media liaison officer Thabiso Makgato said a range of goods were confiscated during the operation.
“During the operation, cooking pots with cooked food, peri-peri sauce, buckets of chicken, cooking oil, fruit, foam bags, buckets of biscuits, trays of uncooked chicken, boxes of chips, a bucket of polish, two bags of wheel caps, white chairs, cooler boxes and bags of snacks were confiscated from illegal hawkers and taken to the Kempton Park pound for safekeeping,” he said.
The EMPD warned vendors and hawkers against occupying open spaces without first verifying whether the areas are available for trading and whether they are compliant with municipal by-laws.
The department said it would continue enforcing the City of Ekurhuleni’s by-laws and taking action against those found operating unlawfully.
Residents can lodge complaints relating to by-law violations by contacting the EMPD on 011 999 7879 (Brakpan office) or 011 999 3425 (Boksburg office).
