Mixed reactions on destroyed Burgersfort hawker stalls
BURGERSFORT
There has been mixed reactions on the destruction of illegal hawker stalls in the Burgersfort CBD. On October 8, shoppers were shocked to witness a strong police presence, security personnel, the Public Order Policing in the town. The groups destroyed hawker stalls and shacks at the Ext 10, next to Burgersfort Mall and those next to the Burgersfort Taxi rank.
The destruction was conducted as early as 06:00 in the morning, it was allegedly given a green light and orchestrated by the FTLM, in order to keep the town clean. Some locals gave the FTLM a thumbs up! Saying the removal of the shacks will reduce crime in the CBD and well keep the town clean. Some alleged the stalls were occupied by illegal immigrants and needed to be occupied by tax paying citizens.
Meanwhile the street vendors were against the operation, “We were notified to vacate our stalls by October 5. When the day passed, we thought maybe the authorities had reconsidered. I tried rescuing some of my belongings, but most were damaged. I have struggled to find a job, and my cooking business was my only hope for survival.”
The street vendors said they earn between R600 and R700 on a good business day. “I am now left homeless and without a source of income,” complaint a vegetable seller.
The destroyed stalls mostly belongs to salon operators, fresh produce sellers, fast-food vendors, cell phone repairs and many more.
Most are currently left with no source of income, as their structures were damaged.
As a result of the operation, Ext 10 and some parts of the CBD remained inaccessible for most parts of October 08, as roads leading to the informal settlement were blocked by traffic officials and police.
