More than 20 illegal hawker stalls and shacks were destroyed in Burgersfort’s CBD on the morning of October 8. At 05:45, security personnel and law enforcement officers, including the public order policing unit, raided Ext 10 and demolished the structures.

Most of the removed structures were located near the Burgersfort Clinic and the taxi rank.

They belonged to salon operators, fresh produce sellers, and fast-food vendors. Some of the damaged stalls had been designed by a local mine about a decade ago.

Steelburger/Lydenburg News visited the scene and witnessed locals attempting to salvage their belongings.

Street vendor Oupa Sekwati, who sells food to make ends meet, said: “We were notified to vacate our stalls by October 5. When the day passed, we thought maybe the authorities had reconsidered. I tried rescuing some of my belongings, but most were damaged. I have struggled to find a job, and my cooking business was my only hope for survival.”

Sekwati said he normally earns between R600 and R700 on a good business day. “I am now left homeless and without a source of income,” he added.

When asked how he managed to erect a shack in the CBD, Sekwati claimed the municipal officials had recruited them. “We were not given permits, but I saw a good opportunity to make money,” he said.

As a result of the operation, Ext 10 remains inaccessible, as roads leading to the informal settlement are blocked by traffic officials and police. Motorists and shoppers are advised to use alternative routes.

This is not the first time illegal shacks have been destroyed in Burgersfort. On February 22, 2023, taxi operators allegedly burnt 72 shacks, claiming they were removing nyaope addicts, sex workers and drug dealers from the CBD.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

At the time of publication, the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality had not issued a statement or comment on the matter.