Editor

I am sure many people in town would have noticed the new “No Hawking” sign boards placed in town.

One can be found outside Chicken Licken, one can be found at the lower end of town opposite AA Electrical.

It only makes one wonder: what’s the purpose of it? The pavement is full of the informal sector, which forces pedestrians to walk on the road at times. The signs prove to be nothing more than a waste of ratepayer’s money. It was good to see that the problem was noticed, which I am sure led to the signs being erected, however the sign by itself is serving no purpose.

The pedestrians still cannot walk on the pavement.

Hawkers are still left to trade in a CBD area willy-nilly.

Please do not misinterpret this as me having an issue with the people who wish to trade. They are trying to earn a living, just as the ratepayer, or even rent payer is.

The total disregard to the newly erected sign post and the continued actions of hawkers does leave the impression that people can be left at liberty to do as they please with no ratification for their actions.

I am not suggesting prosecuting or confiscating these hawkers’ items.

A degree of empathy must go to them, for they are making an effort to earn a living, as opposed to stealing, however the inconsideration to pedestrians and the carefree attitude that is shown towards the law must call for some action to be taken.

The street mechanics that wanted to operate – rates free, and carefree had to be moved out. The hawkers need to be addressed too. The sign posts are taken as a joke, the CBD area starts to look like a flea market.

The hawkers can be moved to the area opposite Princess Park, where they can form a flea market environment, and do not have to be an obstruction to pedestrians.

The old idiom is: “What’s good for the goose, must be good for the gander.”

Shopkeepers must follow rules; builders must follow rules, why don’t the hawkers follow rules? Wishing a better life for all!

The Usual Citizen