Staff Reporter
DISSATISFACTION that has been simmering for quite a while about Angolan traders in northern Namibia was brought to a head this morning when Namibian informal traders took to the streets, demanding that the Angolans’ freedom of movement be limited or that they be expelled from the country altogether.
The informal traders, who this morning marched under police escort from Oshakati’s Dr. Frans Aupa Iindongo Open Market to the town council offices, are complaining about loss of income due to a massive influx of Angolan traders who sell the same products but well below market value.
“Angolan traders are all over the place. There is no control over their movements. Now we, the locals, no longer have any real income; no money to provide for ourselves, for our kids, and to pay municipal bills,” said trader Fillemon Tobias.
Trader Foibe Hango added: “We are no longer even able to pay the fees for our stalls at the open market.”
The demonstrators demand that the number of Angolan traders be limited and that only those with valid permits should be allowed in the country. Others should trade at Santa Clara, on the Angolan side opposite Oshikango, where Namibian traders would buy in bulk to re-sell in Namibia at a profit.
Although the march went peacefully without any incident, the police were displeased by some of the placards with derogatory and degrading messages about the Angolans. They ordered that such placards be withdrawn or dropped “immediately.”
