I first thought I’d misread. An ultimatum? To government? By so-called illegal hawkers? And no reaction from government? Their pride gone to the dogs, their supposed respect for institutions
out of the window because of impending local government
elections?

That’s a lot of questions, I know but it’s a measure of my amazement by the curious turn of events involving the hawkers- or whateverthey want to call themselves. I personally think “the lords ofthe streets” might be a good one. Or maybe “the boss of us”? “Us” meaning exactly that- all of us who have sent this impotent government to the legislative assembly.

The “boss of us” gave an ultimatum to government last week. Find us a place to trade or we’ll march “peacefully” in Port Louis, they say. I did wonder when I heard that, -why give an ultimatum if the
march was going to be a peaceful one? Go fi gure. Maybe Hyder Ryman, the demagogue par excellence could enlighten us. But no matter, government obediently complied. Two new locations were duly found the next day, the cabinet communiqué announced; the granary- currently used as a car park- and the CWA
building next to the Guy Rozemont Square. Both locations were presumably chosen because they are in close proximity to the two bus stations- a requirement of the hawkers.

But instead of going on their knees to thank government for having so spinelessly bent to their diktat, our lords and bosses act petulantly.

“No”, they shout, “we won’t have it! We don’t want to go there and you cannot move us!” In case you’re not amused yet, here’s a good one- “we want you to demolish the old stone building at Victoria station and we
want you to ask the buses to move at the northern station to make place for us!”

Anything else? How about chucking you all in prison? Oh I forget myself! One dare not speak this way to voters of constituency number two and three. Not two months before municipal elections and certainly not three years to the next general election. In fact, not ever. That’s why we’re where we’re at now. Because those cowards in power cannot manage this country to save their lives. Because their political careers are more important than the rule of law, than the respect of institutions, than the country itself.

They who were sent to government house to manage the country bow down shamelessly and agree to be hostages of the most ludicrous lobbies. So that they can be elected again so that once again, they can give in to blackmail. And on and on it goes until nothing’s sacred anymore; just the ill gotten votes.
Here’s a thought; if you guys don’t have what it takes, why not just go?