Street vendors infuriated after a clean-up
STRIJDOM PARK – Illegal traders complain that the City law enforcement agencies are taking away their jobs.
Johannesburg Metro Police, Pikitup and Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) embarked on a clean-up project to eradicate the plight of illegal street vendors in Strijdom Park.
Ward 104 urban inspector, Nokuthula Ngobese, directed a collaborative operation with business owners in the area.
The industrial area from the corner of CR Swart Road and Fabriek Street is currently unattractive with illegal traders at every turn, who generate litter for the area.
Illegal traders were directed to move out as Metro Police confiscated their trading structures.
Talent Dube who had been trading in the area for the past five years said he cleans his space every day. “We use fire because we are cooking our cultural food here. They did not even give us notice,” he said.
He further complained that he did not have anywhere to go since he is unemployed and the business was his only source of income.
Another trader on the corner of CR Swart and Fabriek Street, Jeanette Ndlovu echoed the same sentiments as Dube. She indicated that her business was her only source of income as well. “I started trading here last year November after I lost my job and I was not registered,” she said.
She explained that vagrants polluted the area but all the blame was pointed at the street vendors.
A business owner in the area, Karolynn van Vuren sympathised with the traders but insisted that bylaws needed to be adhered to. “There are business owners here who pay large amounts of money in taxes and rates, why should their needs be undermined,” she asked.
She said they needed illegal traders to work with formal business owners to seek a solution to this plight.
“Businesses want a clean, aesthetically pleasing environment in which to operate,” she said.
Van Vuren explained that she was certain that the solution would be found.
Councillor Mike Wood said, “Sweeping the area every month is just not the solution and these operations cost the City money – we want to encourage entrepreneurship and secure jobs. Perhaps the bylaws need to be revisited.”
Ngobese said the traders were warned but did not heed the City’s warning. “They are just trading not complying with the City’s bylaws,” she said.
Details: Details: Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood, 082 853 2174; Karolynn Van Vuren, Karolynn@rocktech.co.za.
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