Consultations reveal concerns over street trading

CONSULTATIONS regarding informal trading in the Joburg inner city have revealed substantial concerns about the current state of the sector.

Although the city council was pleased with participation in negotiations by various groups – including residents, public transport operators, property and business owners, experts, the courts, and the security cluster – it conceded that the process was not all smooth sailing.

MMC for Economic Development, Ruby Mathang, noted that everyone involved in the consultations regarding informal trading had raised concerns about the current situation.

The city council had concluded its first phase of consultations to develop a strategy to better manage and develop the sector, and was set to begin more focused discussions with informal traders or their representatives in terms of the Businesses Act.

“What was welcoming is that every meeting, including that of the informal traders, raised the issue of congestion, health, safety, grime and, surprisingly, bylaw enforcement,” Mathang said.

Bylaw enforcement in the city was continuing as it ensured that the inner city does not become chaotic. This remained vital for managing the inner city and serving as a deterrent against illegal trading and crime, said Mathang.

According to him, although the traders were initially dubious of the city council’s intentions, they generally welcomed the opportunity to be part of the review of informal trading.

“They were most vociferous about police corruption, illegal traders, trade permits and facilities,” he said.

It was agreed that traders would be afforded a second consultation meeting, and issues requiring immediate attention would be dealt with.

Consultations with property and business owners indicated that they embraced informal trading but had a serious problem with the way traders conducted their business, claiming it dissuaded potential investors.

Residents consulted insisted on better bylaw enforcement and the demarcation of no trade areas in front of flats due to the littering, unsanitary conditions and criminal elements.

“Both parties agreed that sustainable measures had to be put in place to rescue the inner city from further deterioration and to encourage investment,” Mathang said.

Transport operators were concerned by the occupation of pavements.

“They expressed their concern at the occupation of pavements which made it difficult and unsafe for commuters who are forced to use the street to get by, as well as [recyclers] pushing trolleys in the streets,” Mathang explained.

Foreign traders were concerned about their future once the new policy was implemented and the continued xenophobia; a matter also raised by the NGOs, who generally wanted to see better management and more trade markets.

According to Mathang, the city council had undertaken extensive processes to verify the traders identified by the Constitutional Court in December, and the traders’ organisations had assisted in the verification.