Cops have slapped a mentally disabled man with a R500 fine for selling scarves at a Cape Flats intersection without a permit.
Hamid Khan, 38, stands daily at the traffic lights on Kromboom Road in Athlone, selling doekies for only R20.
Hamid has become a popular face in the area and residents say he is an “honest and loving person” and they have no problem with him trying to earn a living.
That’s why they were outraged two weeks ago when Law Enforcement officers fined Hamid R500 fine for trading without a permit.
OUTRAGE: Hamid is popular in Kromboom Road, where he sells his scarves. Photo: Supplied
Resident Shoukat Osman then posted Hamid’s story on Facebook, where it received over 3500 shares and over 200 comments from people all pledging to assist.
Another resident, who asked not to be named, says cops should focus on skelms instead.
“Hamid has been around for years and we all know and love him. He is very soft-spoken, and has respect for others and is extremely honest,” says the resident.
“He is very hardworking and does not take handouts. It’s funny how they can fine him for nonsense. On that same corner there are luisgatte just lazing in the sun waiting for a handout. I am of one of the many people who have pledged to pay that fine for him.”
Showing Daily Voice the fine his son received, Hamid’s father, Abdoola Khan, 64, says his eldest son has bipolar disorder.
“He has been selling scarves for 15 years. He is very independent and works for what he wants,” says Abdoola.
He says after getting the fine, Hamid got a lift from a motorist and came home.
“He was very upset and didn’t understand why he was fined.”
Hamid was not home when Daily Voice visited the family home in Pelican Park on Sunday, and his father said he was out “somewhere” selling doekies.
He says Hamid is not married and does not have children.
“If he has nothing to sell, he gets emotional. He cannot be confined to one space. As long as he is doing something to keep him active, we are happy,” the dad adds.
Abdoola says while they have the money and are willing to pay the fine, they are angry at the City of Cape Town for “punishing” a citizen who was trying to make a living and was not harming anyone.
By Monday, the fine had not been paid yet.
CONTRAVENE: JP Smith. Photo: Supplied
JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Social Services & Safety and Security, says Hamid contravened a by-law: “If the person had the relevant trading permit then Law Enforcement would not be engaging with them.”