Illegal traders told to clean up

Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality has finally responded to concerns from locals about informal traders selling and disposing of meat and bones on the pavements.

READ MORE HERE: Meat discarded in Alexandra Street

Two such incidents were reported to the Estcourt News after calls to the municipality were not heeded. The areas affected by this were Alexandra and Phillip streets. Residents expressed concerns that the illegally dumped meat was a magnet for pest infestations as well as a health hazard.

They called on the municipality to explain the town’s by-laws as well as restrict informal traders from dumping on the sidewalks. On Monday morning Acting Municipal Manager Mrs Z Ndlela provided this information.

She said that a meeting was held with traders who are selling meat and food on the roadside.

“We have emphasised the importance of cleanliness and to stop littering where they trade.
“The traders who have been captured in these photos are illegally trading and are not allocated to trade there,” said Mrs Ndlela.

READ FOLLOW-UP HERE:  ‘Makeshift butchery’ must be stopped

The municipality has also advised traders that if they are not in possession of a permit, their goods may be impounded and they will be fined. According to the street trading by-laws, which focus on the cleanliness of a place of business and protection of public health, traders are compelled to remove all goods, waste, packaging, stock or equipment at the end of business every day.

Traders are also responsible for keeping the area around their stand clean and if the activities involve preparation of food, the trader must take care not to spill any oil or fat onto the sidewalk, gutter or other structure.

Penalties for failing to adhere to the street trading by-laws start from R50 for failure to clean up a site to R500 for failing to produce a trading permit. A fine of R2 500 will be issued if a trader is found to be dealing in illegal or counterfeit goods.