FOREIGN traders in Limpopo are heading to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in a bid to have their rights to do business recognised and stock confiscated by police returned.
Today, the SCA will hear arguments by the Somali Association of SA and the Ethiopian Community of SA, who are demanding that Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, his labour and home affairs counterparts Mildred Oliphant and Malusi Gigaba, respectively, as well as Limpopo safety MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana stop "Operation Hardstick".
National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega, provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Sehlahle Masemola, the Greater Tubatse and Musina municipalities are also cited as respondents in the case.
Operation Hardstick was initiated by Limpopo police to shut down businesses operating without permits. Some traders and their employees were arrested.
The operation led to 600 foreign-owned businesses closing. "We suspended Operation Hardstick pending the finalisation of the foreign traders' case," said Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
Somali and Ethiopian traders, who are represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, said police told them the permits must be in their own names and not their landlords and that foreigners are not allowed to run businesses in SA, according to court papers.
Foreign traders also claim they are unable to find employment in SA because of several barriers such as language difficulties, shortage of meaningful skills due to conditions in their countries, competition from local job seekers and xenophobic prejudice.
They say the only means of survival for them is by starting their own businesses.
In September last year, North Gauteng High Court Judge Natvarlal Ranchod dismissed the foreign traders' case, saying the matter fell within the executive sphere of government. The foreign traders are appealing Ranchod's judgment.
sidimbal@sowetan.co.za
Operation Hardstick challenged
FOREIGN traders in Limpopo are heading to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in a bid to have their rights to do business recognised and stock confiscated by police returned.
Today, the SCA will hear arguments by the Somali Association of SA and the Ethiopian Community of SA, who are demanding that Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, his labour and home affairs counterparts Mildred Oliphant and Malusi Gigaba, respectively, as well as Limpopo safety MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana stop "Operation Hardstick".
National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega, provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Sehlahle Masemola, the Greater Tubatse and Musina municipalities are also cited as respondents in the case.
Operation Hardstick was initiated by Limpopo police to shut down businesses operating without permits. Some traders and their employees were arrested.
The operation led to 600 foreign-owned businesses closing. "We suspended Operation Hardstick pending the finalisation of the foreign traders' case," said Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
Somali and Ethiopian traders, who are represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, said police told them the permits must be in their own names and not their landlords and that foreigners are not allowed to run businesses in SA, according to court papers.
Foreign traders also claim they are unable to find employment in SA because of several barriers such as language difficulties, shortage of meaningful skills due to conditions in their countries, competition from local job seekers and xenophobic prejudice.
They say the only means of survival for them is by starting their own businesses.
In September last year, North Gauteng High Court Judge Natvarlal Ranchod dismissed the foreign traders' case, saying the matter fell within the executive sphere of government. The foreign traders are appealing Ranchod's judgment.
sidimbal@sowetan.co.za