Kiosk owners and bus drivers fumed this morning as inspectors from the Government Property Division cleared City Gate of street furniture set up by kiosks without permission.

The inspectors, escorted by the police, filled a number of trucks with tables, chairs, sun shades, freezers and ice-cream machines belonging to the kiosks.

The owners protested vehemently, one of them even going to the Auberge de Baviere to argue his case with senior officials of the division. The operation continued, however, and it was the bus drivers' turn to protest when the inspectors used electric saws to cut away benches fixed to tiles outside one of the kiosks.

The division two days ago issued notices to kiosk and bar owners in Valletta warning that it would act against abuse of encroachment conditions.

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