By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of enraged street hawkers who were evicted yesterday and today at Taung Taxi Rank including town, accused the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) of being discourteous. This comes after the municipality implemented the court order to evict ‘illegal traders’ and demolished their shacks.
One of the illegal traders who refused to be named for fear of reprisal alleged that the municipality never gave them an alternative, instead all stalls were allocated to municipal officials’ cronies. He said he had been trying to apply for a stall through the municipal Local Economic Development (LED), but his attempts were futile.
“As a street hawker, I have employed two people to assist me. And I also employ more people when the need arises. Now, my shack has been demolished because the municipality alleged that I have occupied the land illegally.
“I understand that some municipal officials alleged that our businesses contribute to crime, litter, loitering and uncleanliness in the area. However, I always make sure that I remove all traces of trading on a daily basis,” he said.
Another illegal trader shared the same sentiments. She said it will be in the best interest of the municipality to consider street vendors as entrepreneurs, because that will contribute positively to growth of the economy.
“I am a hair-dresser and all my customers consider my business reliable, convenient and competitive compared to others. I have been trying to apply for a stall, but I was sent from pillar to post by municipal officials.
“Remember, the informal economy contributes immensely to Taung’s revenue. So, I would like to urge the municipality to ensure that there is a close cooperation between them and us. This will create a better understanding because not all occupations are undertaken by choice,” she said.
She said, there are personal, economic and social factors influencing participation in any occupation, so a comprehensive approach is needed when appraising them.
Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said, even though the municipality aims to promote sustainable workplace democracy, the fundamental problem is those who do not adhere to the municipal by-laws. Gaoraelwe further said everything should be done in accordance with the institutional framework through which the law is applied.
“As the municipality, we have obtained a court order to evict illegal hawkers at the Taung Taxi Rank and around town. In the past, the municipality did analysis and identified 52 illegal hawkers in the vicinity.
“These hawkers were rendered illegal because of the municipal by-law that we have in place. We implemented by-law 8 of 2005, which is called Street Trading and Control and by-law 2 sub-section 18, which says no person shall do business as a street trader, except with a prerogative permission of the municipality and in accordance with conditions set out in the permission,” he said.
He further said, as the municipality, they realised that there were illegal shacks mushrooming in town and taxi rank. Gaoraelwe added that some buildings were allegedly extended by makeshift shacks.
“The municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) previously had a consultative engagement with these illegal hawkers and urged them to follow procedure, if they want to trade as hawkers. However, no one from them showed any interest and came forward.
“We gave them a notice on 17 February 2022, informing them to vacate their illegal stalls within seven days, but they did not heed to the call. So, the municipality applied for a court order to evict them,” he said.
The Guardian 