Street vendors selling vegetables and other small items near the newly built Shoprite Usave Bramfischer, claim that they’ve been robbed of their monies by members of the ‘Community Policing Forum’.
An estimated 10 vendors have allegedly been cheated out of their hard earned cash.
The CPF members are alleged to have collected R100 from each vendor and even extra from some.
Apparently the money would be used to negotiate terms by CPF members to JMPD to allow vendors to sell without the fear of having their stock taken away.
Speaking on behalf of the sellers, DA PR councillor Hilton Masera said: “I want to help them and will engage with the metro department about their by-laws.
This will be done to ensure safety to all vendors without any infringement to the City’s by-law regulations.
Masera said the CPF leadership in Dobsonville rejects asking for donations from the traders.
“We’ve seen the receipts that prove that money was indeed paid to these people.
“Clearly something should be done to these people for robbing people who are simply trying to earn a living from their small businesses,” said Masera.
The chairman of the CPF, Obakeng Kgope, confirmed that Masera did go to the police station to raise the matter on behalf of the vendors.
Kgope said: “The CPF distances itself from such allegations – in fact we did not authorise any members to commit to such action of asking for money.”
He said the receipts that were given to the vendors have no names or even a signature.
“If we can get the names of the perpetrators, we can launch an investigation,” he said.
Masera said no one from the complainants has come forward or reported the matter to the police or CPF because they do not want to be identified.
Kgope said complainants can remain anonymous.
“Whoever is responsible for robbing people of their money will be dealt with severely,” he said.
