Street traders take over Tzaneen CBD

This is according to media liaison officer at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM), Vutivi Makhubele. She says the municipality has only 75 legally demarcated vendor sites. In recent years, Danie Joubert Street in particular, has become densely populated with informal traders, ranging from vegetable and fruit sellers, photographers photographing pedestrians, hairstylists plaiting customers’ hair, cellphone technicians repairing phones and clothing traders, among others.

Many residents have been complaining that the area has become filthy and grubby, stating that they do not feel safe in the area. Makhubele says the municipality has observed that the activities of vendors on the streets of the CBD have become uncontrollable. She says they, together with their law enforcement partners, the police and private security companies, are trying their best to maintain order.

Also read: Licenced hawkers feel cheated in Tzaneen CBD

According to the GTM’s by-laws, anyone selling in the streets must have a permit which is obtained by applying at the municipality’s offices. The by-laws state that traders must keep their area clean at all times, must not obstruct pedestrians from moving around and they must not trade in parking areas. The by-law further reads that no person should promote their merchandise using megaphones, speakers or by shouting and singing.

Also read: Hawkers refuse to move

These are however not adhered to, especially by clothing vendors allegedly owned by foreign nationals. Stephan Botha, who works for a car dealership in Danie Joubert Street, told the Herald, that he does not mind people trying to make a living, but is appalled by the littering. “There is always rubbish lying around when we arrive at work in the mornings, it is not pleasant to experience. “But I rather have someone trying to make a living than stealing from people,” he says.

Makhubele says they do regular inspections of the street traders and that the merchandise of those that do not comply with the bylaws is confiscated and fined as a corrective measure. Share your view on the issue by emailing emelda@herald. co.za.