Magistrate frees vendors

In the Third Police court yesterday, acting senior Magistrate Ramraj Harripersad ruled that until the corporation get its act together, he would reprimand and discharge persons charged with vending in the city.

The magsitrate then freed three vendors on charges of selling in front of Gulf City Shopping Complex, La Romaine. Harripersad also ordered the city police to return the vendors’ fruits and vegetables.

WPC Maraj of the City Corporation had charged Ria Manohar, Debra Mahabirsingh and Dane Dennison for selling fruits and vegetables.

It was alleged that the trio obstructed the free passageway, pitched illegal tents, and failed to obtain a vending licence last Sunday. However, attorney Frank Seepersad, representing the vendors, captured the court’s attention when he said that scores of city officials patronised the same vendors who were charged, at Sunday’s cycle rally against crime in front of the complex.

The magistrate said that as a San Fernandian, he had never seen a traffic jam on the right side of the link road.

However, he added, on the left side a "PH" taxi stand has come into existence where commotion and dangerous "cutting in and out" is the order of the day.

Magistrate Harripersad said with the relocated Chancery Lane Mall and an overcrowded San Fernando Market, vendors were left without a choice. Vending is a worldwide phenomenon city dwellers must live with, he said.

He said, "Lay Bys are contructed to accommodate them. Until the city gets things right, I’m going to reprimand and discharge them."

Police Prosecutor Sgt Fernando concurred with the magistrate’s explanation for the ruling.