DURBAN street vendors say they are fighting for their right to earn a living after growing tired with the city’s bureaucratic processes.
The frustrated street vendors approached the eThekwini Municipality this week demanding for heavy restrictions to be lifted. Claims of corruption also surfaced when vendors alleged that officials had to be bribed to make the process of applying for a permit quicker.
In a memorandum that was handed over to city officials, the traders also called for the disbandment of the “Hawker Unit” within the Metro Police. The unit, said the vendors, is responsible for the many raids and impounding of goods across the city.
Rasta Dladla, convenor of the march and also a street trader with a stall on West Street said they have lost faith in the city’s internal processes. Dladla said communication between the traders and the city was via street committees and a Business Support Unit. He said over time these organisations have been heavily corrupted, making the process of obtaining a permit and a site very hard.
“One of my neighbours here has been without a permit for over 20 years just because he cannot afford a bribe,” said Dladla.
Because many street vendors are desperate, Dladla said, they continue selling without a permit putting them in the crossroads with Metro Police. “They (police) got those big trucks written ‘Hawker’ on it and they start raiding. They come with a truck and a combi, doors fly open and these guys run out. Young, new recruits that are not trained how to relate to people because the vendors are not hardened criminals, you are dealing with people who are trying to take something home,” he said.
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Dladla enlisted the help of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to help with their plight. Mongwezi Thwala, EFF’s Provincial Deputy Chairperson, said they are going to push their councillors in the eThekwini Municipality to table a motion that would look at repealing and reviewing some of the city’s bylaws.
Thwala said the fines were too excessive and had to be reviewed. He also called for the repealing of a bylaw that prohibits street vendors from selling similar products near a business without prior consent from that business.
“There has to be an attempt to develop these people. They cannot be street vendors forever. We want to see them progress and have their own shops,” said Thwala.
Parboo Sewpersad, Metro Police spokesperson, defended the unit against allegations of being ‘heavy handed’ and said they were simply enforcing the city’s bylaws.
“There are bylaws in place, if someone is selling then they must be able to produce a permit the same way if you are driving you need to produce a driver’s license. If they don’t have it then they will be fined accordingly,” he said.
The City said it will respond to the vendors’ memorandum in due time.
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