Police address illegal vendor controversy

Vendors operating without the required licences are in the spotlight this week following strong public responses to articles published in the Roodepoort Record recently.

Roodepoort police, JMPD, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, CPF members, and local security companies – with a Record journalist in tow – took part in a joint operation on May 15 targeting and closing down a number of illegal vendors – some were found to be selling more than just the sweets and crisps on their makeshift display tables.

The resulting news article drew a horde of comments, mostly negative, lambasting police for targeting the vendors.

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Readers’ responses included that the vendors are simply trying to make an honest living, that police should rather focus on ‘real’ crime, and even that police should fill potholes.

Several readers felt that, since dagga is not illegal, the crackdown on the informal sale of dagga is a waste of time and resources.

“Not so,” says Colonel Clive de Freitas from Roodepoort Police Station.

“While we applaud residents for coming up with ways to create their own income, we cannot stand by and allow them to break the law while doing so. The law is clear on what products are allowed to be sold, and the sale of dagga is still prohibited.

“The law is there for a reason, and it is not to stop people from making an honest living.

“Unregulated trading holds many dangers to communities and neighbourhoods. In many cases, the goods on display at these stalls are not really what is being sold.

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“These people operate outside of the law, meaning there is no control over what they sell, who they sell to, where these products originate from, or if they are even safe for human consumption.

“Acquiring the necessary license is a simple procedure done through the JMPD and the health department, if food is involved. This is not to stop people from earning an income, but to ensure they do so in places that are designated for such activity and that these products are safe for use.

Regarding comments that police should focus on ‘real crime’ instead, De Freitas says that all crime is real crime.
“The police have units in place for different focus areas. The sector police address crime and crime contributors in their sector, and illegal vending is a proven crime contributor in neighbourhoods.”