POLOKWANE – Non-compliant traders in Polokwane’s central business district were left frustrated following local law enforcement clean-up operations in which officers confiscated illegally sold goods and closing down stalls seemingly operating without valid licences.
Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala says traders should at all times be in the possession of their trading certificates, while street vendors have their trading permits authorised according to standards of municipal bylaws.
“The on-street trading permit does not expire but it has a monthly service fee while the company trading permit should be renewed on an annual basis,” he says.
On November 23 some hawkers expressed dissatisfaction about how their products, mostly fruit and vegetables, and furniture were mishandled and mixed up because it would be difficult to identify upon paying a R500 claiming fee at the municipality to release their items.
Mokgadi Lestoalo, one of the vendors told Polokwane Observer that she still continued selling after losing a purse with her street vending certificate, identity smart card, and banking card inside, and could not renew immediately.
Letosalo says it was only unfortunate that she fell victim to her own circumstances when her items were confiscated, but had she not continued to operate even after losing the certificate, she would struggle to provide food for her children.
Law enforcers attached to the police, Community Safety Department, and the…