AGGRIEVED HAWKERS: About 300 street traders march along Strand Street to the city hall yesterday. Picture: EUGENE COETZEE
Port Elizabeth hawkers took to the streets yesterday, demanding decent shelter, clean water and trading permits to help sell their wares.
About 300 street traders marched along Strand Street to deliver a list of grievances to Nelson Mandela Bay speaker Maria Hermans at the Port Elizabeth City Hall.
The list of grievances was accepted by councillor Vuyani Dyantyi.
The march was organised by the South African Informal Traders Alliance (Saita).
Saita deputy secretary-general Sureya Amet said they had engaged the municipality for five years but nothing had ever come of it.
“We have been talking about the same issues of shelter and basic human rights since we started the alliance in 2011. All we get are empty promises,” Amet said.
Daku street trader Nomaindia Fumba, 53, said shelter was a major issue.
“Rainy days are the worst, we get wet and we get sick. We would appreciate any kind of shelter and assistance from the municipality.”
Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki declined to comment.
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