Kelvin residents want food vendors gone
Residents allege law enforcement in Kelvin is turning a blind eye to illegal vendors, while vendors claim to have permits, and that their livelihood is at risk.
Kelvin residents are voicing growing frustrations over the proliferation of alleged illegal food vendors and hawkers within their neighbourhood, citing safety hazards, public health risks, and a perceived lack of enforcement by authorities.
Despite petitions with over 450 signatures calling for the removal of unlawful vendors and clean-up of the area, residents report ongoing challenges with illegal activities that threaten community safety and hygiene.
Fiona Seedat, of the Kelvin Residents Association, said: “Our suburb faces serious challenges with illegal hawkers who operate without proper permits. Petitions were submitted to the City of Johannesburg in November 2024, yet the problem persists.
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“We have evidence showing these vendors are in contravention of city by-laws, yet the city seems to be protecting them. The permits they claim to have are either fraudulent or ignored, and law enforcement seems to be turning a blind eye.”
Residents also highlight the presence of multiple hawkers selling similar sweets and snacks in small areas, some with connections to illicit activities. “It is clear that these food vendors do not have a mobile unit, no running water to wash hands or utensils, no hair nets or gloves when preparing food, building an open fire and operating from public land preparing and selling food in a grossly unhygienic manner without a license. This is all illegal and therefore criminal activity.”
Moreover, residents allege that some hawkers have hijacked residential properties, storing and selling food without water or electricity supplies, which violates city by-laws, which require proper mobile vendor stands for such activities.
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Sarah Mukwathi, a long-standing vendor operating in Kelvin since 1990, said: “We are just trying to survive and support our families. If people are unhappy with how we trade, they should come talk to us. We can’t just stop because there’s no jobs or opportunities elsewhere. We do not sell drugs here, we only sell cigarettes, and to adults only.
“Us being here is convenient because people who pass here in the early hours of the morning are protected. If we were not selling here, most people would be getting robbed, not to mention the school learners.”
Mukwathi added that they have never experienced any violation in the area. “I am surprised to even hear that we are trading without permits, while I have all the permits. Even the ones that were given to us during the COVID-19 pandemic. I still have them.”
However, residents argue that the situation is more complex. Concerns about drug activity, public safety, and hygiene continue to dominate community discussions. They complain that law enforcement agencies, including Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), have been slow or ineffective in addressing these issues.
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JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla responded to these concerns. “JMPD has attended to the hawkers operating in the open space. We have verified that those vendors requiring permits do possess documentation issued by the Environmental Health Department.
“Our role is limited to inspecting and ensuring vendors do not obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement. During recent operations, no drugs were found in the possession of hawkers. The land in question is under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Provincial Government, and the process for permits is managed accordingly.”
Fihla added that JMPD actively enforces by-laws and conducts operations to impound goods from unlicensed hawkers. “JMPD has a ward vehicle assigned to patrol the area to enhance community safety and security.”
The City of Johannesburg communications deputy director, Nthatisi Modingoane, was contacted on May 13, as well as followed up with, but, by the time of publication, no response was received.
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