The wolves
are eating the sheep

Northam – The community of Northam is up in arms about the illegal street vendors and businesses that are popping up like mushrooms all over town.

Members of the community feel that their pleas to Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM) to clean up the town keep falling on deaf ears.

“This town looks more like a dumpsite but we have to keep paying our municipal rates and taxes!” one of the Northam residents said. 

Reverent TJ Mogale expressed his concern in an interview with Platinum Bushvelder: “How does TLM justify illegal scrapyards or workshops? People litter the streets with their illegal businesses. We need to take action." 

A very disappointed and fed-up business owner, Ralf Coertze said: “There are about 25 illegal hardware stores around Northam but TLM does absolutely nothing about it.

We pay rent, rates and taxes, whilst other people get all this for free and make deceitful money in a dishonest way? The wolves are eating the sheep. It is time for TLM to take action.” 

Headmaster of Northam Primary School, Alton Greyling told Platinum Bushvelder that the childrens' safety at school is his main concern. Noxious gas from burning illegal rubbish dumps, is a concern that Northam Primary School faces daily. This is a serious health threat.

Chairperson of Northam Rate Payers Association, David Gouveia, said: “We had numerous meetings with the municipality... all promises and no action.

The TLM promised earlier this year to clear all the illegal businesses in town.”

Speaker of the TLM, Bertie Joubert, said: “The TLM is in the process of obtaining court orders to evict all the street vendors who are illegally conducting businesses outside the designated areas.

Vendors were notified in November 2018 to vacate the premises. Many of the structures have been demolished but are easily re-erected. An eviction order will be the only solution to this problem.

The office of the mayor is currently arranging a meeting with the station commanders of the Northam and Thabazimbi Police to discuss the actions proposed by the TLM to ensure