By: Ludorf Iyambo

More than 45 street vendors in Monte Christo in Windhoek woke up to a shocking surprise when the mini-market, where they had been selling their goods, some for decades, was cordoned off with police tape.

They were evicted on Wednesday by the City of Windhoek at an open market, where they had been doing business for decades.

The street vendors told The Villager that some officials from the municipality came and instructed them to leave the premises as the Engine service station owner, known as Quinton, was putting pressure on them.

“This is municipality land, and we were permitted to sell here by Fransina Kahungu, the former mayor. We have been selling our things here since 1978. They should at least provide us with the blueprint to see if it’s the white people’s place,” said Angala Fredinand, one of the aggrieved street vendors.

Fredinand said the service owner is putting pressure on the Windhoek municipality to chase them because he thinks they are taking up his customers. He added that their clients come from the next mall but not from the service.

“The white man used to come and harass us, but he doesn’t come anymore because he and I almost fought when he pushed my braai stand. I am selling kapana, and I have eight kids to feed. How am I going to survive with my family?” said Fredinand.

Meanwhile, Mukawe Victoria, a 51-year street vendor, said they were given a place to operate by Shoprite, but the Engine service station owner approached the Shoprite management and allegedly threatened them with opening a case if they did not chase away the vendors.

Another vendor, Fransina Tomas, 47 years, said their products are rotting as they are not doing business. She added that the municipality, last year, suggested moving them to a particular place, but they said it’s far for them.

“The place they told us to go is in the valley, and there are no customers there. There is no shelter and no water or toilet. The area is also under Nampower lines. Since when does the municipality allow people to reside or operate under electricity lines?” she questioned.

When approached for comment, the City of Windhoek spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, said he was not aware of the authorisation by the former mayor, Kahungu. He said they were illegally operating in the area and hence, should be removed. He added that it is not only the city of Windhoek but the service station is also demanding that there are crimes happening within the vicinity caused by the vendors.

“There’s no such a record or a proof that they were authorised. If the former mayor permitted them to sell there, it was not communicated to us. Whether they have been there for decades or a week, the facts remain that they are illegal,” said Akwenye.

Akwenye, however, said he does not know whether the place where these vendors were operating from belongs to the service station or it belongs to the municipality.

Akwenye said in addition to all illegal vendors, from now on, the city will take a stand to clean the city.

City police chief Abraham Kanime said his officers were merely sent as law enforcement to remove the vendors.

“We are just law enforcement, assisting the custodians of trading policies to execute what he wants to do.”