Siphelele Nketo 

A COMMUNITY movement called Pondoland Patriots in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, has demanded immediate action to fight lawlessness in the CBD, citing the rise of businesses being owned by illegal foreign nationals. The movement further sought an action plan from the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality to remove all unauthorised containers and stalls in the town. Treasurer Mfundiso Ngwane claimed that a number of stalls owned by illegal foreign nationals prevented local residents from occupying the informal trading sector.

Members of the movement handed over a petition to the municipality in June, demanding action. Last month they held a sit-in at the municipality building, seeking answers from the local authority. 

“We want the municipality to enforce compliance in the town of Lusikisiki. We also call for the removal of unauthorised containers in the town,” Ngwane said and further highlighted a widespread issue where street vendors are targeted by extortion networks. He claimed that extortion syndicates target vendors due to restriction orders in the allocation of stalls in town.

This is to maintain street order by the municipality.

In that aspect, Ngwane said desperate vendors get targeted by corrupt individuals who promise to offer stalls in exchange for upfront payments.

“A number of people have paid money to corrupt individuals that promised stalls but never delivered,” Ngwane claimed.

In response to the allegations of extortion, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality spokesperson Lwando Nonkonyana said those claims need to be reported to the police.

Nonkonyana further said that the matter of illegal foreign nationals is being addressed by the municipality in partnership with all involved departments and stakeholders. 

“Law enforcement has been tightened in the town and surrounding areas, and there is a huge difference,” Nonkonyana concluded.