SEDIBENG. – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called on government to allow informal traders who sell produce to be permitted to sell their produce in residential areas with trolleys.
A statement issued by the party said that because informal traders depend on foot traffic for the bulk of their customers the regulations to fight COVID-19, limits the available customer base for them. Currently the regulations allow informal traders with permits to sell fresh produce in designated spaces or areas.
“Whilst the move to amend the original Disaster Management regulations was correct, the DA believes that it has done very little to assist informal traders. As the DA in Gauteng we are calling for the relaxation of regulations to allow for informal traders who sell produce to be permitted to sell their produce in residential areas with trolleys.”
The DA also called on supermarket chains to assist informal traders with trolleys and for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) to make Tuk-Tuks available as well.
Furthermore, the party said that should government consider this intervention, all informal traders who have permits to trade must at all times wear protective clothing and observe the one metre distancing rule.
