The City law enforcement officers removed a sand sculptor from the Fish Hoek beach at the weekend because he did not have a busking permit.
Micheal Myekwa, 33, from Joe Slovo in Milnerton, started making sand portraits at the beach on August 6, which included a crucifix of Jesus, a portrait of a rhino and an elephant.
He says he first heard from the City’s law enforcement officials when they visited him on the August 9 public holiday, when they viewed his sand portraits.
“Many people loved them and they were tipping me. Then on Women’s Day the law enforcement (officers) came to view my art and they applauded me for my work,” he said.
On Friday last week, Myekwa was told by the City’s law enforcement officers to stop his work as he did not have a busking permit because he was soliciting money from beachgoers.
A confused Myekwa told the Cape Times about his previous artworks at other beaches from where he had been removed.
“I worked on many beaches and I have never had something like this happen. I worked in Port Elizabeth, East London, Knysna and Hout Bay. I was never asked for a permit before.
"Only in Durban for a competition was I asked for one, called the ‘sand art permit’,” he said.
Myekwa went on to say: “On a busy day I collect about R500 in tips, especially on Sundays. But on a normal day I get about R250 to R350 in tips.”
The DA ward councillor in Fish Hoek, Felicity Purchase, said Myekwa was removed from the beach because he had solicited money from beachgoers.
“He only needs a permit when he puts his tin there asking for donations. That is busking. Making sandcastles is allowed. He has been told this many times,” she said.
Purchase explained what Myekwa needed to do in order to display his sandcastles at the beach again.
“He needs to apply at the Plumstead office or online for a busking permit.
‘‘This has nothing to do with any other trader on the beachfront. It is an informal trading by-law.
“This is an unintended consequence. Asking for donations under the nose of the law enforcement (officers) is a bit of a risk,” she said.