CAPE Town hawkers say the World Cup has brought them nothing but poverty.
CAPE Town hawkers say the World Cup has brought them nothing but poverty.
A group of angry informal traders from the Concerned Hawkers and Traders Association and 5th Avenue traders marched to the city's offices yesterday demanding better trading bays and an end to police harassment.
Pumza Stata, 34, who has been selling boerewors rolls in Mitchells Plain for 10 years, said she had recently been moved to a bay under a tree.
"The birds shit from the trees. People don't want to buy anymore. I only make enough to buy electricity, bread and milk. (Mayor) Dan Plato and (Premier) Helen Zille should make a better plan for us."
Most complained that despite having permits, they were forced to trade in the open.
Makhaya Velem, a father of five who has been selling fruit for the past two years, said police confiscate his goods and fine him R300 every time he moves to a spot with more customers.
"Trading should be free. I have kids and a wife to feed. If I remain on one spot I don't make money. The police are forcing us to commit crime in order to survive. I don't want that," he said.
Andrew Overmeyer, 45, who has been selling sweets for 15 years, said: "I'm forced to go into the taxi rank to sell and police confiscate my stuff and make me pay a fine of R35. The city should make space for us at the rank."
Traders want better spaces
CAPE Town hawkers say the World Cup has brought them nothing but poverty.
CAPE Town hawkers say the World Cup has brought them nothing but poverty.
A group of angry informal traders from the Concerned Hawkers and Traders Association and 5th Avenue traders marched to the city's offices yesterday demanding better trading bays and an end to police harassment.
Pumza Stata, 34, who has been selling boerewors rolls in Mitchells Plain for 10 years, said she had recently been moved to a bay under a tree.
"The birds shit from the trees. People don't want to buy anymore. I only make enough to buy electricity, bread and milk. (Mayor) Dan Plato and (Premier) Helen Zille should make a better plan for us."
Most complained that despite having permits, they were forced to trade in the open.
Makhaya Velem, a father of five who has been selling fruit for the past two years, said police confiscate his goods and fine him R300 every time he moves to a spot with more customers.
"Trading should be free. I have kids and a wife to feed. If I remain on one spot I don't make money. The police are forcing us to commit crime in order to survive. I don't want that," he said.
Andrew Overmeyer, 45, who has been selling sweets for 15 years, said: "I'm forced to go into the taxi rank to sell and police confiscate my stuff and make me pay a fine of R35. The city should make space for us at the rank."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos