By Mark Ogagan
A fresh legal battle is looming as second hand clothes traders, who were recently evicted from the popular De Villiers street second hand clothes market in Johannesburg CBD, head to court yet again.
The Johannesburg High Court is expected to deliberate on a case of “unlawful eviction,” which was enforced during an operation carried out by City Council officials last Friday.
It was a tense situation as Johannesburg City Officials shut down business in the area and demanded that everyone vacate, including second hand clothing and fashion retailers.
Meanwhile, there’s palpable police presence in the area as cops and armoured vehicles have been mobilized to restore law and order.
According to one of the council officials, “Dunusa Street Market on De Villiers Street is gone for good; no more selling of second hand clothes in the CBD.”
This portends bad news for street vendors, resellers and shoppers who cannot afford brand new clothes. The street is now a parking bay for taxis.
Some of the traders in the bustling second-hand clothes market blame the current situation on improper representation as the matter was first heard in court earlier this year but without concrete solution.
The Gauteng High Court had ruled in favour of the traders and issued an order allowing them to return to their stalls. According to a statement issued by SERI on 1 August, the City consented to the order according to its own proposals.
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