Members of the eThekwini Traders Association protested against alleged harassment and unlawful confiscation of goods by metro police, highlighting the struggles of traders with valid permits.
Image: Sipho Jack
Members of the eThekwini Traders Association took to the streets of Durban on Wednesday in an expression of their frustration over what they allege was ongoing harassment by Durban Metro Police regarding by-law compliance.
The protesting traders claimed that police officers were unfairly targeting street vendors, and that even those who had obtained the necessary trading permits were not spared. They said the subsequent confiscation of goods had severely impacted their livelihoods.
They marched from Dr Pixley KaSeme Street to the offices of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on Dorothy Nyembe Street, where they delivered a memorandum outlining their demands to an IPID official.
Zandile Ntuli, a trader who sells second-hand clothing, said: “Traders are crying because we are being harassed by the Metro Police.
“There are traders without permits, and we have no problem with them being fined. Yet when it comes to those who have permits, they are also checked and unfairly fined.”
This sentiment was echoed by various traders who told the Daily News about the dire consequences they faced, including imprisonment following the issuing of fines.
The protest further highlighted a troubling situation for traders whose permits have been terminated.
Ntuli also questioned how traders were expected to survive after their permits were revoked.
She said they acknowledged that the municipality had clamped down on the number of second-hand clothing dealers operating on the streets, but asked why legitimate clothing traders were constantly undermined when they complied with the law.
A Cameroonian vendor, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said: “I have been selling second-hand goods in partnership with South African locals for over 15 years without any issues.
“However, recent actions by the authorities have wreaked havoc on my established partnerships, as valid trading permits were summarily revoked under the assertion that foreigners cannot collaborate with South African citizens.”
The vendor claimed he was being unfairly targeted and described the municipality’s actions as unjust.
Len John, Deputy Director of Investigations at IPID, listened to the traders’ grievances and reassured them that the organisation would review their memorandum and communicate its findings.
John said IPID’s investigations would begin once all the required statements were received from the traders, and that necessary legal action would be taken if police officers had committed acts of corruption, intimidation or assault.
He added that issues relating to trading permits do not fall within IPID’s direct mandate.
“Those matters should be directed to the municipality,” John said, affirming that IPID would engage with local governance structures to address the traders’ concerns.
In response to the allegations, Metro Police spokesperson Boyce Zungu denied that officers were harassing vendors.
“We are simply enforcing municipal by-laws,” Zungu said.
He stated that vendors must have valid permits and operate in designated areas.
“If they don’t comply, their goods can be confiscated, and they may face fines.”
He said these were foundational laws that apply equally to all, regardless of nationality.