Whip cracked on illegal hawkers in CBD
EMPD officers who took part in the Bumper to Bumper operation recently raided the streets of Boksburg Central Business District between 2pm and 10pm.
Hawkers were targeted who were operating illegally, without permits and obstructing pedestrian sidewalks.
According to Lieut-Col Wilfred M. Kgasago, EMPD spokesperson, the Metro Police confiscated numerous items of counterfeit clothing and shoes, as well as vegetables and fruit, when the hawkers fled and left their stock behind.
Albu, Kaap, Commissioner, Eloff and Trichardt streets were the main focus of the law enforcers.
Sixty pairs of both men’s and women’s shoes, 40 fake hats, 200 handbags, 12 winter jackets, 30 counterfeit back packs and several items of children’s clothing were confiscated.
In addition, a variety of cosmetics, fruit and vegetables and rat poison were also seized.
“A 28-year-old man, who claimed to be a friend of one of the hawkers who fled the scene, was arrested for interfering with the Metro Police in their duties,” said Kgasago.
“All the seized goods were stored at the EMPD Boksburg Precinct.
“Hawkers who wish to reclaim their goods will have to pay a fine of R200 for obstructing the sidewalks and produce a permit which allows them to ply their trade in the town. ”The storage fee is R150 per day.”
