On Wednesday last week, Bedfordview street artist Ronnie Zingwina was thrust into the spotlight.
This was not to recognise the art pieces he creates by hand to sell, but rather because EMPD officers removed his art and issued him with a hefty fine.
News of the EMPD’s removal of Ronnie’s art pieces soon spread on social media.
Outraged residents questioned why Ronnie had been targeted.
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Two residents stepped up to pay Ronnie’s fine as well as the cost of storage with the EMPD’s offices in Kempton Park, an amount which totalled R1 700.
Ronnie was visibly distraught and close to tears when told the NEWS that he did not know it was illegal to sell his art on the street corner.
The 33-year-old artist from Zimbabwe creates sculptures from used cans and wire.
He calls his art up-cycling and it is something he has done for the last 12 years with his brothers.
“I have been selling in Bedfordview since 2010 and not once has anyone told me I cannot sell my art,” he said.
“I have never left a mess on this corner (Van Buuren and De Wet roads). I always clean up, even after others have made a mess.”
Ronnie said he was surprised when officers arrived to remove his art, which included several large giraffes, a springbok, a rhino and a life-sized zebra.
“I’m only left with my baby zebra,” he said.
The amount of R1 700 would have taken Ronnie more than a week to collect through the sale of his art pieces.
He said creating the life-sized zebra took him over a month while some of his other pieces took roughly a week to complete.
“Art is something I have always had a passion for, it is my natural talent. I come from a family of artists. I love to create things using recycled materials. I am helping the environment while making a living,” Ronnie said.
Selling his art pieces is his only source of income.
“I live in Bez Valley with my father and three brothers. We are all artists. The money I make I support my family,” he said.
“The Bedfordview community are always amazed by my creations and people stop here every day to see what I have.”
Ronnie hopes that one day he will be able to open a market, which will give artists like himself a safe place to trade and showcase their skills.
Chairperson of the Bedfordview CPF Gavin Henry confirmed that two members of the community offered to pay Ronnie’s fine as well as the storage fees for the EMPD.
“The EMPD issued Ronnie with a R200 fine and R1 500 for the storage of his items.”
He said that the two community members reunited Ronnie with his art on Thursday afternoon.
An enquiry for comment was sent to the EMPD’s communications department on July 8 and comment was requested by July 9 at 11:00.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
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