Parow flea market at the mercy of armed thugs

Knife-wielding thugs are making life a living hell for elderly traders at the once-bustling and profitable Parow flea market, whose operators are threatened and robbed frequently.

“We experience attacks and then our products get stolen right in front of us. The people who do these things are youngsters, we know (their) faces. Some even grew up around us but they still get away with it,” said 73-year-old Kenny Witbooi.

A trader at the market for 20 years, he said he saw traders being beaten, having bricks hurled at them or being held up at knife-point.

Incidents of assault and robberies have been reported in the Parow and Khayelitsha areas where traders sell goods, cooked meals and braai meat to make ends meet.

Just last week thugs armed with knives threatened stall owners who had to pack up their stalls and flee.

Pensioner Jerry Koen, 62, said the market had become a breeding ground for crime as drugs were involved.

“There are drug dealers. We report the incidents and ask for police visibility but the law enforcement just drives past and that’s it.”

Spiritual leader at Parow SAPS Elton Flanders said officers patrolled the area but crime was rampant.

“These people pay R150 for a stall. Most of them are pensioners. I witness some robberies, and tell the youngsters to return the thing,s but they too say they are just working.

“A few weeks ago there was a mobile security station set up at the flea market (and) we saw a decrease in crime, so I believe this is the solution. Visibility can change things,” he said.

Other business owners in the area said their businesses were affected by ongoing criminality.

“There is no growth in this area because of the crime. Before, people used to come to Parow for discount prices, but now they are too afraid because they fear for their own safety,” said an owner who asked to not be identified.

In Khayelitsha, street vendors constantly have to be on the lookout for thieves and extortionists.

“We are really worried about the proliferation and multiplication of incidents where people are being targeted,” said Khayelitsha Development Forum chairperson Ndithini Tyhido.

“It has a big impact because people shy away from areas where they know there is an easy target. It means fewer jobs and investments, so it’s not just the robberies we are concerned about but also the after-effect.

“It’s a sad situation here. Our old aunties who sell oranges to survive get robbed.”

President of the Informal Economy Development Forum Rosheda Muller said more should be done to assist traders affected by crime.

“The problem in Parow has been one that has been highlighted for a long time. These people have been promised (increased) security but it never happens.

“Even though there are teething problems I do see progress, especially on the Grand Parade. There is good consultation with the City but the situation at Parow and Bellville is cause for concern – hawkers are not safe.”

Muller said life as a vendor was hard, especially for pensioners trying to make a living.

City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said they deployed trading compliance officers who work with the SAPS and the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District to assist with safety in the area.

“The City is working on getting the community ambassadors back on the ground considering that they were very effective in the surrounding space. Efforts are also under way to increase the number of ambassadors,” he said.

Traders at the Muizenberg and Green Market Square flea markets said they mostly dealt with isolated incidents of crime.

“There were random occasions where pick-pocketers tried their luck, but I have never felt unsafe. It could be because we have security and a safety committee, so there is a system to create a safe environment,” said Muizenberg trader Balquis Ismail, 49.

Green Market Square trader Mohammed Abdul said dodgy characters always lurk around the periphery of the market but so far no incident had led them to fear for their safety.