Informal traders in Windhoek held crunch talks with City of Windhoek councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu on Friday, where they raised complaints about their working conditions and recent evictions.
The three-hour meeting took place at the City’s head office. Vendors said their businesses have been brought to a standstill after they were forced to leave their trading spot near Shoprite and the nearby taxi rank in the central business district.
The traders complained about harassment by City police, poor communication from officials, and lack of basic services such as water and toilets. They said they have been following the city’s bylaws and paying their monthly fees but feel they are not treated fairly.
One male vendor, who operates from Dorado Valley, said they pay about N$1 600 every month for their trading space, even though there is no electricity or water.
“We supply everything ourselves, but every month we pay. In a year, that is about N$18 000. If you count the many years we have been there, it is a lot of money for a place without services. Now we are told to move.
How will we survive?” he said.
He added that many of them turned to informal trading because there are not enough jobs.
“We are trying to meet the government halfway by creating our own work,” he said.
A female vendor, Maria Johannes, said the eviction has left many families struggling.
“Last month we bought school books for our children. Now we are not working. Our children are not going to school. We have rent to pay, but we have no money. We are sleeping without water, without toilets and without food. We need help now, not next week,” she said.
The eviction followed repeated warnings from the police for vendors to leave the area and find alternative places to trade legally.
The orders were issued about three weeks ago. However, traders refused to move, saying there are no other suitable places in the central business district where they can make enough money.
On Sunday, the vendors were still trading, despite constant fears that City Police officers would show up anytime and kick them out.
On his part, Kavetu said the matter will be addressed urgently.
He said it is wrong for the City to give traders permission to operate and then later allow the City Police to shut them down.
“The City cannot approve traders and then send police to remove them, especially during hard economic times and high unemployment… The City must service its residents, who elected us, and not be dictated by tourists and wealthy individuals,” said Kavetu.
He added that if the city’s rules no longer serve the public, they should be reviewed and changed. The laws are there to guide and protect, not to oppress you. If the law is oppressing the masses, it must be changed,” he said. The vendors, especially those operating near Shoprite, have been unable to trade for more than two weeks.
“People are drowning in fines and arrest warrants. We will see if we can have the fines written off so that you can start on a clean slate. Please hold me accountable.
The most urgent thing is to ensure that you are back and trading again next week. These are serious and urgent issues that need to be addressed, as people’s livelihoods are at stake,” Kavetu said.