Informal traders to receive support
FOURWAYS – Land remains an issue for informal traders in Fourways.
MMC for public safety in Johannesburg Michael Sun and Metro police officials normally embark on Operation Buya Mthetho during which order is instilled in the city or the region visited at the time.
During some of these operations, informal traders in the Fourways area trading on dangerous intersections had their goods confiscated by Metro police officials in the past.
In the article MMC on the road to lasting solutions [Week ending 5 April], Fourways Review reported that MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun is in negotiations with the Department of Economic Development over the possibility of allocating suitable premises to the informal traders. The department has since released a statement on the latest developments on informal trading.
“The City is continuing its interactions with informal traders on what their needs and challenges are in order to better effective trading,” the statement read.
“This process also involves a comprehensive head count of traders per region. By January of next year, we will have procured our new permit system and will also be able to commence budgeting for new ablution facilities to service traders. The new policy together with improved resources will empower the City to support and regulate trading in a more consistent manner.
The department further revealed that there are regional consultative workshops currently taking place with leaders and trade associations.
The policy will, therefore, streamline the regulation, support, and management of informal traders to enable them to run successful businesses and graduate from informal to formal status.
In addition, Sun also disclosed the challenges they face with accommodating hawkers in Fourways, “Land in Fourways is very scarce and expensive, for the City to acquire any piece of property for them will be an issue on its own.
Another thing is the congestion we do not want to congest what is already congested, I mean there’s no walking space for pedestrians when informal traders have set up their stalls.”
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