Disgruntled members of the Mangaung Hawkers’ Association marched to Botshabelo municipal offices last Thursday in protest against the unfinished business stalls at the Rea Hola Shopping Complex that are now attracting criminals. About 200 protestors took part in the legal march, which started at Rea Hola.

General secretary of the Mangaung Hawkers’ Association, Lefa Ramabodu, said it is high time they get answers from the Mangaung Metro Municipality Mayor, Olly Mlamledi.
“We would like to know when the business stalls that we were promised will be completed. It has been years now and no one cares to explain to us what is happening.

Our worry is that these unfinished stalls have now been attracting thugs. We don’t want to find a body of a person in one of these unfinished business stalls or a lady being raped in them. I think it is time now for people to stand up and take action. That is why we are on the streets today.

“It is also high time that we do away with individuals who feel that they have all the power to exploit people. We cannot be controlled by an individual who doesn’t want to listen to the community that voted her into power. Our demands are clear and we need answers,” said Ramabodu.

He added that many of their members had their shacks demolished by Law Enforcement in 2015. “That led to attacks on foreign owned shops in Botshabelo. We don’t want to see that happening again.”

Another member of the Mangaung Hawkers’ Association, Mmatisetso Monyaki, said they get a lot of empty promise form government.

“The first mistake was the planning of these business stalls because we are now operating away from our customers. The stalls are leaking when it rains and they are also easily broken into,” said Monyaki.

Lebakeng Nkabi
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