Hawkers Face Off with Authorities

By: Mfundo Mabaso

Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Community Safety & Liason MEC, Kwazi Mshengu, has expressed his concern over the brewing tensions between locals and foreign nationals.

Mshengu is currently leading Provincial Multi-disciplinary law enforcement operations, in the eThekwini District, as part of efforts to reduce crime.

These ongoing crime prevention and crime combating enforcement operations are part of the multi-disciplinary crime-fighting intervention programme titled, Operation Vala, which was launched by Premier Sihle Zikalala last year.

Addressing Police officers, Mshengu says anyone who is on the wrong side of the law must be squeezed.

Mshengu has also issued a stern warning against lawlessness, saying it cannot be tolerated.

Engaging with street hawkers, he has urged them to follow the correct street trading procedures.

Meanwhile, hawkers have expressed their frustration as Police were confiscating their stock.

Mshengu further says that he is disturbed by the slow issuing of trading licensing by the eThekwini Metro, adding that he will meet with the city’s mayor and leadership to deal with this crisis.

On allegations made by the hawkers, of corrupting when procuring trading licenses, Mshengu says they are going to institute an investigation so they can root out the alleged corrupt officials.