Maseru- Street vendors working along Moshoeshoe road, found their shacks removed and some stock taken away by Maseru city council (MCC) authorities and Roads Directorate on Wednesday15th of May,on the same day MCC released a press release, affirming that they have between 6000 and 7000 street vendors who are legalized to work inside different spaces in Maseru town.
Vendors have temporary permits; this means MCC can remove them anytime when there are infrastructure developments. Developments can affect vendors in different ways; they might find themselves permanently moved from their working spaces.
Road Directorate had negotiations with MCC and different street vendor’s organizations, and they came to agreement that vendors should evict Moshoeshoe Road by 5th May 2024. According to MCC 180 street vendors will be affected by the development, however only 122 vendors have permits.
MCC has given vendors without permits a chance to follow right procedures to apply for permits until 15 June 2024.
“Street vendors who are affected should be aware that after the development this places Local Market, litopong tsa Metro, Thibella and Lepoqong will be open for the public.” MCC said.
Olympic zone Committee spokesperson Marets’epile Letsie noted that they were given a notice on Monday 13thMay to evict Moshoeshoe Road and vendors will be given transport to take their shacks to their respective homes, despite that they are not happy with their eviction because they do not want to go home but they need to work for their families.
“We were given a notice on Monday, but we feel betrayed by MCC because we have a case against them at court, MCC was supposed to wait for court to make judgment. They cannot evict us here without placing us somewhere where we can make money. It is tough for us out here. Yes they have given us transport to take our shacks home, but it does not make sense, since most of us are from rural areas. We tried making strike but police threatened us. We have written countless letters to Prime Minister asking for help, however none of those letters have been answered, all we want is employment.” Letsie noted.
Almost every corner of Maseru has street vendors, this has made Maseru look like the most undeveloped town.
