JMPD takes action to clear roads of illegal vendors

Informal traders were caught completely off-guard when the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) came through to take their goods, as they were operating illegally on provincial roads in Ward 94.

The initiative was prompted by ward councillor David Foley’s plea to take action against illegal vendors, who were causing chaos, and posing a significant risk to public health and safety.

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Foley, who has been vocal about the issue, raised concerns about the impact of illegal street vending on his ward at the latest city public safety meeting. He highlighted the community’s frustration with litter and open fires caused by these vendors, which were not only an eyesore but also a threat to the well-being of residents and visitors.

According to Foley, the illegal street vendors pose a significant danger to his ward. “Drivers cannot see effectively on slipways and intersections, and motorists stopping to buy food, or other items, block the lanes. This congestion not only causes frustration but also poses a risk to drivers and pedestrians,” he explained.

The JMPD responded to Foley’s plea, mobilizing its forces to vacate the illegal street vendors on several key roads in the ward. The dominant roads targeted were R511/William Nicol slipway, Winnie Mandela Drive, Witkoppen Road, Cedar Road, and Roos Street.

To ensure that vendors are held accountable by the law, Foley proposes the simple application of bylaws, specifically Section 47 of the provincial legislation, which states that no vendors are allowed on provincial roads, unless they have a letter from the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of Gauteng.

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One of the vendors, Mutsemi Tichavhona said he was given a permit by the city authorities, and argued that he had been selling his wares on the same spot since 2008.

Tichavhona countered that he has always been careful to follow the rules and keep his area clean. He argued that he was not causing any harm and was simply trying to make a living.

“I have been selling here for over 10 years, and we try to keep the place clean. [We’ve pleaded] with the city to organise a place for us, so we can move from the pavements. We have paper, but we don’t have a place to sell.”

Foley, acknowledged that the vendor did have a permit. However, he emphasised that the problem lies not with the vendors themselves, but rather with the location where they are operating. While Tichavhona did have a permit to sell his wares, the location where he was selling them was problematic, hence JMPD had to move him.

When approached for comment, JMPD’s spokesperson, Xolani Fihla could not respond to our query before going to print. An update will be provided once the information is available.

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