Food caravans annoy Waverly residents

The Metro police are encouraging residents to report food caravans allegedly set up illegally to the entity’s bylaw management unit.

This follows complaints from residents in Waverly on the recent appearance of two food caravans in the area.

According to one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, the caravans were just set up along the road with no prior warning. “Some time ago, persons unknown set up two dilapidated food caravans on the traffic island in Athol Street, between Campbell and Douglas streets, just to the right of our building,” he said.

The irate resident further speculated that the appearance of these caravans was due to the presence of minibus taxi drivers who use the old Highlands North bus terminal as a taxi rank during the day. This has apparently led to these vendors setting up their caravans near the taxi rank to cater for the drivers and their passengers.

The resident called on Metro police to remove the caravans, which he deemed illegal, adding that the area would turn into a slum if they were allowed to continue operating.

In response, Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the illegal food caravans should be reported for investigation. “If residents come across any illegal food caravans, they can contact our bylaw management unit, who will then conduct an investigation and fine the operator if he/she is found to have been operating illegally,” he explained.

Minnaar added that setting up of food caravans was not necessarily illegal, explaining that if the operator had obtained a licence from the environmental health department then they had the right to operate in the area. However, the operator would only be allowed to sell in those areas stipulated by the licence and the vehicle could not be permanently parked where it was operating.

“Any complaints regarding the matter can be forwarded to the bylaw management director and it will then be dealt with accordingly,” he concluded.

Details: 011 490 1630.