Evicted Jwaneng mall hawkers return
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Defiant: The hawkers vow not to move from the mall
The hawkers said they have decided to return to the front of the mall after being chased away from their new place, which was close to the First National Bank Botswana (FNBB).
“We agreed to move to an open space next to FNB and the manager came to complain that we have occupied his customer’s parking (lot). The fire department also came and told us to vacate the place because it is an assembly point in case of (a) fire. We don’t have an option, but to return here because this is our sole means of survival,” one of the vendors, Dineo Gaofetoge who sells cosmetics and airtime, claimed.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...