CBD Vendors Given Until December

Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 24, 2016 15:28

 

Two weeks ago, the Francistown City Council (FCC) ordered the vendors to vacate the stalls at the end of October. For years, the FCC has been trying to relocate the vendors to no avail. Vendors cited lack of a suitable location as the reason for their reluctance to move.

In the past, the vendors have even refused suggestions that they should move to a place near the Francistown/Ramokgwebana border rank on grounds that the area is crime-infested.

The vendors have also shunned talk that they should relocate to a council facility near the fire department.

Last week the vendors wrote a letter to the city council demanding that they be given more time to continue operating whilst they wind up their businesses.

The vendors demanded that their relocation be postponed in order for them to clear debts owed to their service providers.

The vendors also said the extension will grant them adequate time to enable them to alert their clients of their new business locations.

“We have been given extension until December 24. The extension was granted during a meeting we had with the city council authorities Thursday afternoon. We feel that the extension given to us is very reasonable,” said Belinah Sekepe who is the spokesperson of the vendors.

Yesterday council spokesperson, Joseph Wasubera confirmed that the FCC has granted extension to the vendors.

“We have given them alternative stalls at the bus rank as well as at Blue Town location. The stalls are also owned by the FCC. Our hope is that the vendors will move this time around,” said Wasubera.

Wasubera added that the property developer was supposed to have started development at the market a longtime ago but had to delay the project because of the vendor’s reluctance to move.