Vendors told to move

A NUMBER of street vendors along Augustino Neto Street in Oshakati have been ordered to move their stands by Monday.

Mayor Katrina Shimbulu said that the order was given after complaints from the nearby Angolan consulate. She said the consulate had complained about smoke from the vendors’ braai fires entering the consulate offices.The mayor said the presence of the vendors also made it difficult to provide security for the consulate.In addition, criminals who break into cars in the street hid among the vendor’s stands and this made it difficult for the Police to arrest them, she said.The vendors are angry about the short notice they were given to vacate the area.They said the Town Council did not discuss the matter with them and merely broadcast the order on radio.They also complained that the Council had not provided them with an alternative place to do business.She said the consulate had complained about smoke from the vendors’ braai fires entering the consulate offices.The mayor said the presence of the vendors also made it difficult to provide security for the consulate.In addition, criminals who break into cars in the street hid among the vendor’s stands and this made it difficult for the Police to arrest them, she said.The vendors are angry about the short notice they were given to vacate the area.They said the Town Council did not discuss the matter with them and merely broadcast the order on radio.They also complained that the Council had not provided them with an alternative place to do business.