Maputo: Estrela Vermelha informal vendors evicted – Watch

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Maputo: Estrela Vermelha informal vendors evicted – Watch

2:21 CAT | 11 Jun 2020

Photo: O País

After about 30 years, the informal sector of the Estrela Vermelha Market has fallen to the strength and power of the Municipality of Maputo.

The city has regained its mobility and original proportions with the compulsory evictions of informal vendors well practised in ignoring the many warning notices issued by the authorities.

A little bit of everything was sold there: appliances, new and second-hand mobile phones, vehicles and their accessories, electrical and construction material, even alcoholic beverages. For many, including police authorities and crime victims, the significance odf what was sold there was its dubious and possibly criminal origin.

The place, some say, housed criminals, perhaps taking refuge after their crimes.

Last Tuesday to Wednesday night was decisive for the removal of the stalls and stalls from the sidewalks around the Estrela Vermelha market, between Alberto Lithuli and Emília Daússe Avenues, and Marien Ngouabi and other nearby streets.

Even on the last night, an amateur video was already circulating on social media showing police officers and municipality officials initiating the removals.

Morning brought confirmation that the vendor’s long-held fears had been realised.

The sun was shining, and the market surrounding had an aspect not seen in three or four decades. Cleaning in the morning was going ahead under strong police protection, the . incredulous vendors watching in groups. But the fact was plain to see: the stalls and barracas were gone from the sidewalks.

Gil had been selling cell phones on Avenida Emília Daússe for 20 years despite repeated warnings from Maputo city council, and told the ‘O País’ that he had never received any notice to leave the place.

“I know there are spaces for us to continue with the sale, but what they did here is sad for many of us who dedicated our activities here”.

Likewise Crisanto and Joaquim, who sold car accessories and electrical. They claim that they would never have left their stock there if they had known about the operation.

The removals were part of the restructuring of informal commerce held dear by Maputo mayor Eneas Comiche and his team. Head of the Sales Commission, Paulo Machava, says that the eviction of the around 500 informal vendors was inevitable, since they did had not left voluntarily.

“We expected this, because there were multiple warnings for them to voluntarily leave this place and they ignored them. The removal of informal vendors is happening all over Maputo, and Estrela is part of this city,” he explained.

Vendors now have nothing to do but occupy such places indicated by the municipality for the continuation of their activities.

By Amândio Borges