Hawkers in Curepipe: Rise of Inspectors and Police Watch

" From mid-January, the hawkers have returned to the city center ", says a trader who operates near the station of Curepipe. She says that during the holiday season, while hawkers were sent to the Forum, sales were better. " We were able to sell our products but now the worst is feared. Sales have declined , "she says.

It is during this period that the city had hawkish face hawkers . But here they have once again set up their " baskets "near the bus station, where they place their articles, they sell at low prices.

The mayor of Curepipe Welcome Mario for his part said that the situation is under control. " We continue with our zero tolerance policy, we will keep the same tempo , "he says. Adding that the police was instructed to strengthen regulations.

" At the town hall, we are currently working on a roster regarding inspectors  and municipal police. They shall mount guard at places coveted by hawkers early every morning until very late every afternoon , "said the mayor. It specifies that municipal inspectors and police officers will thus " responsible "of a defined perimeter.

Kenny Tang, president of the Merchants Association Curepipe, said hawkers recaptured the old structures that had been destroyed by the city around the Piton Building . " With a monthly rent of Rs 50,000, many traders go straight to bankruptcy if the situation of street vendors is not resolved , "he says. And stress at the end of January, two traders put the key under the doormat. " They left because they could not compete with street vendors. If this situation continues, many other traders shut shop. "