After being out of business for almost two weeks due to the lockdown, informal traders have been given the green light to operate again.
However, this concession by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, only applies to street vendors who already have permits that were issued to them by their local municipalities before the lockdown.
These informal traders are only allowed to sell basic food products, and not hot meals and prepared foods.
Spaza shops selling essential groceries are also allowed to trade from 8am to 6pm.
Information that hawkers and street vendors may request permits from their municipalities and councillors during lockdown was clarified by the department as being false.
On a previous occasion The Northsider had spoken to a number of vendors in Roodepoort who were distressed by the lockdown. However, this provision still does not apply to them as they sell clothes, which is deemed non-essential goods.
