Durban\'s street-trading by-laws \'on trial\'
Durbans street-trading bylaws, which allow for the removal of hawkers from a site and immediate confiscation of their goods, are on trial in the Durban High Court.
According to a report in The Mercury, the traders represented by Legal Resource Centre attorney JP Purshotam claim that the law is unconstitutional and accuse the eThekwini Municipality of high-handed harassment. But the municipality argues it is based on compelling public interest and safety issues and says the bylaw is there to prevent pavement chaos. Judge Sharmaine Balton reserved judgment.
The Mercury report not available online