27 Jun 2013

Hundreds of street vendors and hawkers on June 25 converged at the Molepolole kgotla to discuss their fate following an eviction order by Kweneng District Council.

The impromptu meeting was convened by the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Mr Keletso Rakhudu in response to complaints raised by small business operators during a general kgotla meeting he addressed Monday.

Small business operators in Molepolole were reportedly given a week’s ultimatum to demolish their structures. KDC officials were said to have premised their action upon receiving communication from Office of the President to district councils calling for action towards tidying villages and cities especially along the roadsides.

Small business operators among them Mrs Gaefele Morake alleged that the sudden action against their operations was a deliberate move to pave way for business operations within government offices some of which were owned by public officers.

Mrs Morake complained about the selling of school uniform by Chinese outlets as well as the selling of tripe, fat cakes and chicken intestines by chain shops intruding into a sector that was initially reserved for Batswana. Mr Thomas Mhale considered action against them ruthless because it was not based on consultations but instead punitive.

Mr Rakhudu concurred on the importance of securing a market for businesses where they could best sell their products rather than be placed in non-viable areas. The minister requested for three weeks consultation process to map way forward on how the situation could best be addressed to suit both parties.

Molepolole Administrative Authority (MAA) council chairperson, Mr Jeffrey Sibisibi admitted lack of consultation by council’s bye-law officials. He confirmed holding three meetings with the concerned group stating reasons for council’s intention on the matter.

Mr Sibisibi shared the minister’s sentiment on the fact that the council had in the meantime reversed its decision to properly consult. He stated that action was also based on individual safety as most of them were operating under power lines, some under filthy environment while others had erected structures with slabs all over the village. Ends