A local resident, Eric Lekgetho, 43, is at his wits’ end after Metro Police members confiscated the tools of his trade that his whole income hinges on.
According to Lekgetho, who fells trees for a living, he was waiting at the intersection of CR Swart Road and Mimosa Street almost two months ago hoping to get lucky and get a client for the day, when Metro Police members pulled up. They said he did not have a licence to operate his business and confiscated his two chainsaws, which were gifts from a former employer who wanted to help him become independent. Lekgetho said they did not confront any of the other men who were waiting at the traffic light hoping to apply their trade. He questioned as to why they could not give him a warning but they refused. They handed him a photo-copied infringement letter and told him if he wanted his chainsaws back it would cost him R2 500 and an additional R105 per day for storage. Up to now this amounts to R6 195 over and above the R2 600 – a sum Lekgetho clearly can not afford as his means of making a living has been confiscated.
Lekgetho said he is heartbroken and feels he is failing his family. He has been unable to pay the taxi fare for his three children to go to school and to buy food. His neighbours in Princess informal settlement do not help him and the family had to resort to begging for food.
Lekgetho told the Record he does not “understand this government. They promise job creation but when I go out and create my own opportunities I get penalised”. In a good month he used to make R19 000, of which he now has been robbed.
The Record is waiting for Metro Police’s comment.
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