Tshwane municipality urges all traders at Marabastad market to submit licence applications
Last Thursday, the municipality shut down the busy retail market, saying dozens of traders were operating without permits.
FILE: Informal street vendors wait for clients in front of a wall that reads “BOOKED FOR EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) ” during a campaign rally at the Alexandra stadium in Johannesburg on 27 April 2024. Picture: EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - With less than two days to go until the deadline, the Tshwane municipality is urging all traders at the Marabastad market to submit their licence applications.
Last Thursday, the municipality shut down the busy retail market, saying dozens of traders were operating without permits.
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However, the traders took the municipality to court and were granted an interim order to resume their operations.
The Gauteng High Court also ruled that the traders had to submit their applications for trading licenses to the city by no later than Friday.
The issue of the Marabastad retail market has turned political, with opposition parties accusing the coalition government of political point-scoring, while the coalition government maintains it is enforcing the city’s by-laws.
In a media statement released on Wednesday, MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa said all traders must ensure they abide by the city’s policies and regulations.
"Traders and businesses, and especially those businesses dealing with food products, must comply with fire, health and safety regulations in addition to securing trading licenses," she said.
Mabotsa said people wishing to do business in the capital are required to attend a compulsory workshop on street trading in Tshwane.
On completion of the workshop, the aspirant trader may then submit an application for a certificate of acceptability.
"I remind all Tshwane business owners that despite what some opposition parties allege, ownership or a lease of a property does not grant the occupant of a property the automatic right to engage in business activities.
"Property owners or occupants must ensure that they have the necessary approvals and comply with relevant zoning, health and safety regulations to ensure the safety of their workers, their customers and our communities," said Mabotsa.
Mabotsa said the city had started processing applications and the outcomes would be communicated by no later than the court-ordered date of 1 September.
"I thank the businesses who are seeking to comply with the city’s by-laws and with the order of the court. The city’s multiparty coalition government is working to cultivate a safe city that works for everyone. This means we all need to comply with the law and with health and safety regulations," said Mabotsa.
"The City of Tshwane is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses and to supporting the growth of the economy of the City of Tshwane. Our work to clean up the inner city, to ensure businesses are legal and operated in a way that is safe for consumers and residents is part of our commitment."