Caption: Apoi Savera
with his injuries.
By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, November 29, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
AS if the deaths surrounding the enforcement of NCD’s betelnut ban were not enough, the enforcement officers were at it again this week almost leading to the death of another street vendor.
On Tuesday (November 24), in full view of the general public along Cameron Drive, Gordons the victim was chased for selling store goods rather than betelnuts, which betelnut enforcement empowers confiscation and apprehension.
Pictured, Apoi Savera, was almost run over by a vehicle when enforcement officers with NCDC chased him for apparently selling music boom boxes.
Sunday Chronicle was on the scene after Mr Savera was clipped by the vehicle, sustaining injuries to his back, and limbs.
According to a witness and victim, Michael Marere, a marked NCDC enforcement unit Toyota land cruiser with officers chased Savera across the main road (Cameron Drive) towards the Boroko Motors workshop.
“While avoiding the enforcement officers he got clipped by the passing vehicle almost hitting him head on,” Marere said.
“We were selling Chinese made goods. I myself was selling hair clips and Apoi was selling boom boxes. He is also disabled.”
“I ran towards the same direction but ran into a PMV truck parked on the side of the road and the enforcement officers did nothing to assist with Apoi.”
Marere called on NCD to explain why they were persecuting those who were selling store goods.
“We know that it is only those that sell buai (betelnut) that are to be apprehended, but what they are doing to those of us who are selling other things is wrong.”
“What we sell comes out of our pockets and we do that not only to sustain ourselves but our families as well to get enough to buy food and come back the next day.”
“A lot of people assume that we steal the good in the stores and come out and sell, but in actual fact we pay for them.”
“Do your job right- if you are enforcing the buai ban then you do that.”
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