Street vendors

Illegal street vendors arrested

According to officer-in-charge of Boroko Support unit, Senior Constable Petrus Mund the street vendors were arrested and charged for selling betelnut, cigarettes and other stuff in front of Stop and Shop, Tabari bus stop and near the BSP and Westpac banks in Boroko.

The 25 alleged offenders were charged under the Summary Offences Act, Section 44B for Illegal Street sales and Under the NCDC Litter Act, Section 11, Sales of Betelnut. 
They were told to pay K300 police bail or remain in custody.

Street Vendors Will Be Fined: Magistrate

This was the warning issued by Lae’s Senior Provincial Magistrate, Pious Tapil, when attending to cases during the Easter holiday.

In collaboration with police prosecution, the Lae District Court heard almost forty cases, including 27 summary offences and four committal hearings.

Street vending and the sale and consumption of illicit drugs and homebrew (paia wara) fall under summary offences.

Seven male street vendors were fined K300, or will spend three months at Buimo Prison if they are unable to pay the fine.

Tough stance against street vendors, petty criminals

Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, said police have been making an average of about 15 arrests a day.

“I have issued directives that there will be no spot fines issued to those offenders. Police will only make arrests when they are caught in the act,” he stated.

“Spot fines were previously issued by the City Council but this has not had any effect.

“It also has the tendency of being abused where accepting bribes crept in.