By Theodorah waga Mawasha
TZANEEN-Hawkers trading on R71 close to McDonald’s are at loggerheads with Greater Tzaneen Municipality. This comes after the municipality destroyed their stalls by setting them on fire a few days ago.
According to a vendor Mapula Ngoveni who sells fruits on the road, the municipality has a tendency of destroying their businesses when they least expect it and without proper engagement.
“We have been selling here for over 3 years. These people wait for us to leave and they come at night to burn and destroy our stalls. This is our livelihood. We are trying to make a living, but, it’s difficult. I am heartbroken”, she said.
Greater Tzaneen Municipality media liaison Nevile Ndlala said that they have an obligation to uphold the rule of law.
“There is a rule of law in our municipality. No one is allowed to trade on that route. There is even a sign prohibiting hawkers from trading there. We have a responsibility to ensure that the law is adhered to. Also, this impacts how people view us from an investment point of view”, Ndlala said.
The municipality confirmed that there are talks with the private sector to construct properly demarcated hawker stalls.
#TzaneenVoiceIsBack.
