CoJ plans to develop new operating facilities for inner city informal traders

The City of Johannesburg said it plans to develop new facilities in the inner city where more informal traders can set up shop.

This is on the back of concerns that there aren’t enough designated areas for traders to operate.

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The metro has recently intensified its crackdown on unauthorised hawkers, evicting those operating without municipal approval.

On Monday, the Gauteng High Court gave the city a two-week deadline to conclude the process of verifying informal traders and allocating them trading stalls.

According to the City of Johannesburg’s lawyers, more than 500 informal traders were affected by the recent evictions.

Currently, the city has less than 300 stalls that are dedicated for informal trading in the CBD.

While the city has started verifying traders and allocating stalls, the available spaces are not enough to accommodate everyone.

However, the city’s lawyer, Leslie Mkhabela, said this is not a concern, as not all informal traders will qualify to trade once the verification process is complete.

“There are 500 people. We know, as we stand here, that some of them are already illegible for various reasons. So, we believe that number will come down substantially. Even if there are 300 stalls presently, it’s a progress. The city continues to demarcate trading facilities because it does recognise the significance of the contribution of informal trading to its economy.”

Over the next two weeks, informal traders will be required to register with the city to be allocated trading stalls.

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