Street stylists clash with metro officers
Hairdressers say they have nowhere else to go
STREET hairstylists in the East London CBD have pleaded with Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to recognise their trade and issue them operating permits.
However, the metro says the city’s street trading bylaw does not cater for this practice.
The more than 50 women who operate on Union and Buffalo streets said they were tired of being constantly removed by BCM law enforcement officers during raids.
Lumka Dyosiba said if the metro could not issue them permits it should at least lease them a building at an affordable price.
“It is not like we want to work from the street but the problem is we cannot afford rent,” she said. Dyosiba, 30, who is a single parent of two, said doing hair was her only source of income.
Nandipha Kotshini from Scenery Park who has styled hair on the street for the past four years, said because of work scarcity she had no choice but to use her hairdressing skill to provide for her family.
“I used to work from home but there are not enough clients in the location, so I came to town to get more clients.
“If BCM does not approve of our trade they must provide us with jobs,” said Kotshini.
Nomfusi Pinini from Parkside said she was fined R300 by the city police when she was caught styling hair on the street two months ago.
“We normally hide and pack up our chairs when we spot the city police.
“However, on this day, I did not see them.
“I was caught and issued with a fine. I don’t make enough money to pay the fine. I still have not paid.”
BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said the environmental health bylaw did not allow for such activity other than in formal premises.
“No licence may be issued for any form of treating hair on the street, hence officers warned the street hairdressers during the raids.”
The women said they were not deterred by the metro response and would carry on styling hair on the street.
“I am over the age of 35, uneducated and have three children to feed. Styling hair is my bread and butter, so I have to keep coming back,” said Fezeka Ningiza. — arethal@dispatch.co.za