Tell hawkers the truth, MP Greeff urgers City Council
Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaborone Bonnington South Christian Greeff has called out Gaborone City Council (GCC) to come out and tell hawkers at the bus rank nothing but the truth.
Greeff said this when responding to the current standoff between hawkers and Gaborone Hotel owners saying only council can resolve the issue once and for all.
“I intervened in that matter some time last year when things got nasty and some hawkers were thrown into police holding cells after vandalizing a fence erected by GH owners, as they sought to take back what they deemed to be their land.”
“At the time, I personally begged the GH owner to be considerate and lenient - he is a very understanding man. The agreement at the time was that those hawkers be allowed to be there for about three months or so. They were to move when he was now ready to start developing the area,” said Greeff.
Greeff shared he had asked for documents proving that indeed the land belonged to GH and the evidence was brought to him. He was also told at the time that council made an agreement with GH that they pave the parking area on the western side all the way to the waiting area for Block 6 and Phalakane combies. Council at the time had no money to do the paving themselves.
“Council told me that they made an agreement with GH that they pave then in return they will use a portion of the paved parking. The last time I checked, GH was renting out the parking area to some bus owners and Cab owners. I guess it was in an effort to recover the money they spent paving the area,” said Greeff.
The MP suspects that hawkers who have now encroached the parking space might be doing so due to lack of knowledge.
“Council needs to come out and explain in detail and openly, deals and agreements they made with GH before things get nasty and uncontrollable,” he advised.
At the time of print, the city council office had not responded to a questionnaire sent to them.