Roadside meat vendor wounds Ministry’s staff

A Ministry of Public Works employee was attacked and wounded with a meat saw last Friday when he attempted to remove a roadside meat vendor located on Government reserves at New Hope, East Coast Demerara.

A release from the Ministry of Public Works yesterday said that four days before the incident, the vendor was given a “Notice of Violation” in relation to the erection of the permanent structure on the reserve, the penalties that could be applied and the necessary steps for approval.

The release said that the vendor refused to comply with the notice which caused the Ministry to tear down the permanent shed he had built. In a show of defiance, the release said that the vendor positioned a stand and continued to sell at the location.

On Friday, June 6, the release said that ministry employees advised the vendor he had to move and as they were in the “process of removing the meat knives and cutters, the vendor pulled a meat saw and attacked the staff. One employee sustained a cut to his right arm.”

The matter was reported to the Cove and John Police Station where officers are pursuing charges.