Hawkers a serious concern for Mokopane residents
The unsightly structures that are erected in the towns' entrance caused residents to turn red in the face.
MOKOPANE – Korny Dekker, ward councillor says that “the hawkers at the entrance of Mokopane is becoming a serious concern to the residents of the town” and that the hawkers are increasing at a fast pace. He claims that the matter won’t be able to be maintained soon.
Dekker says that he took this matter up with Marcus Mthombeni, Manager of Traffic and Emergency, and since he sent an email to Mthombeni on the 11th May he did not receive any response. Dekker also bought it under Mthombeni’s attention that there is no toilet facilities, security nor structure for trade.
“According to the by laws they are trading in an illegal area, they are blocking the view to oncoming traffic and are becoming a lady of leisure spot.” says Dekker.
Marcel Maritz, FF+ Limpopo leader says: “It is completely unacceptable and the space that the vendors occupy is not zoned for trade or for living purposes. Today there’s one and tomorrow there will be three, and when the municipality will open their eyes it will be uncontrollable. It is a health and safety risk and the consequences are enormous”
Piet du Bruyn, second vice president of the business chamber says that the vendors are illegally there and that there are “by-laws in place for the municipality; they only have to apply the law and remove these people”. He also says that these vendors are not the only illegal vendors – the whole town is “full of them – it’s time for the municipality to do their work”.
According to the vendors, who wants to remain anonymous and erected the illegal structures, they have visited the municipality longer than a month ago and have spoken to Mthombeni. Various vendors claim that Mthombeni said it’s fine if they sell fruits and vegetables there and that he will also check if he can arrange for them to have toilet facilities.
On Bosveld’s request whether they stay overnight in this illegal stalls a vendor replied: “We do not have vehicles to transport our vegetables everyday, so we have to sleep here to look after our it.” These vendors said that if the municipality were to build permanent stalls, they would pay rent to the municipality. They all agreed that it would help them a lot and it would look much better.
Bosveld phoned Mthombeni several times on his cellphone but it remained unanswered. We have not received any feedback from Malesela Selokela, Head of Department of Communication of the Mogalakwena Municipality before print.
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
