Keetmans’ vendors fume over shutdown

Vendors at Keetmanshoop are upset because the municipality closed them down while retailers, banks, bars and taxis in the town may continue doing business.

“Will people not get the virus in these places? Why only us?” was one of the comments made when about 30 vendors on Tuesday met with the municipality.

“When customers buy from us, they do not stay for long. If we are serious with fighting coronavirus then everything should be locked down,” they argued.

The municipality last week shut down all vending activities in the town until further notice to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Operating hours

At Tuesday’s meeting, the vendors said the municipality could have at least introduced new operating hours for them in order to ensure that they sell out all their stock, as some of them are still seating with new stock.

“Now we are sitting with the new stock at home and what should we do with it? The kids at home are hungry, we cannot buy food for them as we do not have money. How will we feed our kids?” some vendors wanted to know.

They further wanted to know if the government or the municipality cannot provide them with hand sanitisers, gloves and masks so they can continue to feed their families, while suggesting regular inspections of their business to ensure cleanliness at all times.

Keetmanshoop mayor Gaudentia Krohne promised that the municipality will get back to them as soon as possible, as she needs to consult with the councillors.

She further told the vendors that the municipality does not have the right to close retail shops and banks and that council will therefore also consult the relevant authorities. - Nampa