Some informal traders in Joburg CBD question CoJ operation to regulate sector

Some informal traders in the Johannesburg CBD have described the City of Johannesburg’s operation to regulate the informal trading sector as a campaign targeting foreign nationals.

The Gauteng High Court on Monday ordered the metro to expedite the process of verifying traders and allocating stalls in designated trading areas.

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The ruling follows a court challenge by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) after the city evicted unauthorised traders operating outside approved zones.

The City of Johannesburg believes that informal traders who operate wherever they choose have contributed to the decay of the CBD.

But Okezie Okafor, an informal trader in the inner city, said he doubts the metro’s operation is genuinely aimed at regulating the sector.

“What is happening today has gone beyond the relationship with informal traders. It is an anti-foreigner campaign. [It] has been carried out by major political parties.”

Another informal trader, Thokozani Ndlovu, said she supports the city’s decision to clean up the CBD but wishes the process had been carried out in a more orderly manner.

“The city is dirty; I don’t want to lie to you. I was happy that they are cleaning. But now it seems they are cleaning us and not the town. They're supposed to do things right. They were supposed to give us space to work and then clean.”

The Gauteng High Court has given the city two weeks to conclude the verification of informal traders.

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