When informal trader Vincent spots Metro Police officers on patrol, he hastily packs up his stock and flees down the bustling streets of Johannesburg CBD.
The trader, who sells fruit and vegetables, said trading is his only source of income, but he has no information about the documents required to operate legally.
“This business is going well because it is the only source of income I have. I was never told what documents I need to trade on the street. When traffic officers come, we have to pack our things and run because we don’t want them to take our goods. When they leave, we come back and continue trading,” Vincent said.
The City of Johannesburg is encouraging traders like Vincent to formalise their businesses and use the City’s support programmes.
However, some traders still say they remain unclear about the requirements for operating legally and growing their businesses.
The City of Johannesburg has introduced workshops and other initiatives to help informal traders understand compliance requirements, access training, and identify opportunities to develop their businesses.
However, traders interviewed in Johannesburg said they still face challenges, including the cost of stock and transport, competition, and interruptions by law enforcement officers.
The City’s informal trader portal currently states that traders can apply for a trading permit and trading space through the municipality. It lists the cost of a trading permit as R300 for three years, subject to compliance with the relevant requirements.
https://informaltrader.joburg.org.za/Home/Home?ReturnUrl=%2f
Trader Thandeka Khumalo, who sells vegetables in the CBD, said the business is her lifeline.
“I am unemployed and have five children to support, so selling vegetables is my only source of income. Sometimes business is good, but other times there are few customers. Transport to buy stock is expensive, and after paying those costs the profit is not always enough,” Khumalo said.
Her experience highlights another challenge for informal businesses: having access to support does not necessarily remove the everyday costs of operating a business.
Bongokuhle Dlamini, 35, said competition is also making it difficult for traders selling similar products to increase their profits.
“Many traders are selling the same vegetables and fruit. It is difficult to make the profit I expect because customers can buy the same products from the person next to me,” Dlamini said.
City of Joburg executive mayor Dada Morero took to social media platform Twitter\X this week expressing frustration over the deteriorating situation in the City’s streets.
“This morning, I met with the entire senior management of the JMPD because what I continue to witness in the inner city is simply unacceptable. I walked from the Joburg Art Gallery to Marble Towers, and what I saw cannot continue. JMPD vehicles were parked while officers sat on their phones, even as illegal trading continued in plain sight. I have repeatedly met with JMPD leadership and made it clear that our by-laws must be enforced without fear or favour,” Morero posted.
However, his outcry led to huge criticism from users who accused the mayor and his officials of failing to act against lawlessness.
“Comrade Mayor that’s why we keep on saying that you the leaders are aloof. You stay too much in your offices. We see these things everyday. Walk, travel and mix with us then you’ll see these things,” said one of the respondents Mo Letsoalo.
