Informal traders harangue city clerk over destroyed goods

Pini Bothoko | Friday January 17, 2014 16:49

PINI BOTHOKO

Correspondent

FRANCISTOWN: A hostile and raucous showdown between street traders and the city clerk at the Civic Centre Wednesday ended badly, but not before the former had sternly read out a riot act.

Yesterday, the city clerk Leboile Israel left the meeting unceremoniously after attempts to calm down the street vendors and hawkers failed.

In the midst of the chaos, Israel advised the traders, in a rather stringent tone, to take their complaints further to the District Commissioner.

The vendors and hawkers would however hear none of it as they continued accusing him of being behind the raid at the bus rank and central business district (CBD) during the festive season.

Even though the city, especially the bus rank now looks clean, the exercise left vendors angry, robbed of the only opportunity for survival and sustenance for their families.

At the Civic Centre, vendors had come particularly to demand their merchandise back and vowing to continue with their business, which they said, was their only means of survival.

Israel explained that since their merchandise was taken to the landfill there is no how they can be given them back.

He said that their goods were destroyed because they did not want to follow the rules and regulations of doing business in those areas.

'I understand and know how you feel now, but there is no how I can bring back your merchandise as they have long been destroyed.

'I can see that you are against the decision that was taken therefore I advise you to take the matter further to the District Commissioner.

'I am sorry that is the only thing I can tell you to do,'' said Israel.

Israel reminded the vendors that they had been warned several times in the past and it was the reason their merchandise were taken, destroyed and dumped at the landfill.

He told them that after taking over in November last year as the city clerk he learnt that they had been advised many times to always take their tables, chairs and other equipments with at the end of business but they did not comply.

He also said he heard reports that some vendors have a tendency of helping foreigners obtain vendors' and hawkers 's licences and hire them to operate their business on their behalf.

'This is illegal and if one of you can be found doing that you will face the wrath of the law.

'They are so many reports about illegal things that vendors are doing.

''I warn you to pass the message across to other vendors because serious actions will be taken against such people,'' Israel warned.

He went on to say such people have also gone to an extent of helping foreigners to obtain Omang (Identity Card) and that they should know that it was punishable offence.

Israel sternly warned vendors who wore white dresses, thought to be the Bazezuru women, to stop selling illegal substances at the bus rank.

He said that they (by-law officers) have retrieved harmful and dangerous s from the women.

'I want to stress this, action will be taken against these women because they sell pills that terminate pregnancies, family planning pills, illegal cigarettes and other harmful things whilst pretending to be selling vegetables and airtime.

'These women are also into money laundering, we will end up being forced to ban them from selling at the bus rank ' said Israel.

He advised vendors and hawkers to protect the informal sector business as it was made for them as Batswana for their survival by helping the council to nip in the bud illegal practices occurring at the bus rank.

'We are doing these things to protect you Batswana to live a better life.

'You should be doing this business alone and not with foreigners. We are not chasing you away from selling in those places.

'Rather, we want you to use umbrellas and take all your merchandise back home at the end of each business day, ' said Israel before he hit hasty retreat, apparently bothered by the noise made by the inconsolable traders.

Yesterday, the city clerk Leboile Israel left the meeting unceremoniously after attempts to calm down the street vendors and hawkers failed.In the midst of the chaos, Israel advised the traders, in a rather stringent tone, to take their complaints further to the District Commissioner.The vendors and hawkers would however hear none of it as they continued accusing him of being behind the raid at the bus rank and central business district (CBD) during the festive season.

Then, on December 26, 2013 by-law officers raided the bus rank and the CBD, confiscating merchandise, tables, chairs and breaking down stalls belonging the vendors and indiscriminately dumping everything into the landfill. The city officials said this was a clean-up campaign to attract investors.Even though the city, especially the bus rank now looks clean, the exercise left vendors angry, robbed of the only opportunity for survival and sustenance for their families.At the Civic Centre, vendors had come particularly to demand their merchandise back and vowing to continue with their business, which they said, was their only means of survival.Israel explained that since their merchandise was taken to the landfill there is no how they can be given them back.

He said that their goods were destroyed because they did not want to follow the rules and regulations of doing business in those areas.'I understand and know how you feel now, but there is no how I can bring back your merchandise as they have long been destroyed. 'I can see that you are against the decision that was taken therefore I advise you to take the matter further to the District Commissioner.'I am sorry that is the only thing I can tell you to do,'' said Israel.Israel reminded the vendors that they had been warned several times in the past and it was the reason their merchandise were taken, destroyed and dumped at the landfill.He told them that after taking over in November last year as the city clerk he learnt that they had been advised many times to always take their tables, chairs and other equipments with at the end of business but they did not comply.He also said he heard reports that some vendors have a tendency of helping foreigners obtain vendors' and hawkers 's licences and hire them to operate their business on their behalf.'This is illegal and if one of you can be found doing that you will face the wrath of the law.

'They are so many reports about illegal things that vendors are doing. ''I warn you to pass the message across to other vendors because serious actions will be taken against such people,'' Israel warned.He went on to say such people have also gone to an extent of helping foreigners to obtain Omang (Identity Card) and that they should know that it was punishable offence.Israel sternly warned vendors who wore white dresses, thought to be the Bazezuru women, to stop selling illegal substances at the bus rank.He said that they (by-law officers) have retrieved harmful and dangerous items from the women.'I want to stress this, action will be taken against these women because they sell pills that terminate pregnancies, family planning pills, illegal cigarettes and other harmful things whilst pretending to be selling vegetables and airtime.

'These women are also into money laundering, we will end up being forced to ban them from selling at the bus rank ' said Israel.He advised vendors and hawkers to protect the informal sector business as it was made for them as Batswana for their survival by helping the council to nip in the bud illegal practices occurring at the bus rank.'We are doing these things to protect you Batswana to live a better life.'You should be doing this business alone and not with foreigners. We are not chasing you away from selling in those places.'Rather, we want you to use umbrellas and take all your merchandise back home at the end of each business day, ' said Israel before he hit hasty retreat, apparently bothered by the noise made by the inconsolable traders.