Sostenus Wilherm

Social justice activists Michael Amushelelo and Shaun Gariseb will tomorrow join China Town vendors in a peaceful march to the City of Windhoek to demand answers over the recent removal of vendors from their trading spaces.

The march follows last week’s eviction of vendors and seeks clarity on the verbal directive used to stop them from trading.

Organisers argue that the directive is inconsistent with previous commitments made by the City of Windhoek during a deputation, where officials undertook to provide a written response and engage stakeholders on the vendors’ concerns.

Gariseb told the Windhoek Observer that the purpose of the march is to ensure the City honours its commitments and explains the legal basis for removing vendors without a written directive.

“We are going to the City of Windhoek to ask under what authority vendors were removed while we are still awaiting a formal response to the deputation. We want proper engagement and for the City of Windhoek to honour its commitments,” Gariseb said.

The peaceful gathering will begin at 08h00 at China Town before proceeding to the City of Windhoek Head Office, where vendors hope to be addressed by the mayor and the chief executive officer.

The march has been formally communicated to the authorities, with organisers reiterating that their objective is constructive dialogue and a fair, lawful resolution that allows vendors to resume trading while a long-term solution is negotiated.