About 250 business people who sell their goods at open markets in Oshakati held a peaceful demonstration and handed over a petition to the mayor of Oshakati demanding that the number of Angolans who sell their goods on the streets of the town be reduced.

The local vendors marched today from the Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market in Oshakati West to the offices of the Oshakati Town Council in Oshakati East.

In a petition read by Ms Elina Kaleni the protesters said that their livelihoods have been affected by the many Angolan street vendors who sell all kinds of products, from fruits, washing powder, shoes, cosmetics, etc.

“The situation has become worse, resulting in reduced income for us,” said Kaleni.

“As law-abiding citizens we are not against foreign business people, all we want is that they must do their businesses lawfully.

“The challenges we face of this unfair competition is that we are unable to pay for municipal bills and send our children to school, as customers prefer to buy from foreigners who sell at cheaper prices.

“Our demand is that we call on government to stop immediately all foreign vendors who come here without proper authorisation.

“And those who do have authorisation, must stop selling house to house but only at allocated places.”

The protesters also demand that the foreign vendors must have passports and must pay al fees due to NamRa, and social security and fitness permits if they are to be allowed to sell in Oshakati.

The petition was received by the Mayor of Oshakati Mr Leonard Hango who, accompanied by deputy mayor Puyeipawa Elifas and town CEO Timotheus Namwandi, came out to receive the protesters.

In the photo: The angry open market vendors marching to the offices of the town council.