City to consult on future of informal trading

The city aims to create a “vibrant, inclusive economy in a well-managed and welcoming inner city”.

The CoJ recently stated that there are a number of challenges experienced in the inner city streets. This includes trading activities that impede the movement of pedestrians, the deterioration of the public environment on several streets due to high trading activity volumes, Illegal traders using the overcrowded conditions to evade bylaw enforcement and the SAPS and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) having difficulties combating crime due to the conditions.

Local residents raised several of these concerns with the EXPRESS over the years. Areas of concern locally include Jules Street in Malvern.

After a consultation process with the relevant departments and groups on its revised approach to informal trading, the city will consider and consolidate all comments and inputs in a plan for the proclamation and de-proclamation of certain city streets.

This plan will be published for written comment over 21 days and the necessary administrative processes followed for council approval and gazetting.

“Informal traders are here to stay and our view is that street trading is a vital part of the city’s history and a major player in the second economy. The city embraces its hawkers. We want to make life easier and more stable for those who trade legally because we want a commercially viable and dynamic informal trading sector in a clean and welcoming environment,” said Clr Ruby Mathang, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for economic development in the city.

He urged all affected parties to attend and participate in the meetings to allow for intensive engagement.

Visit www.joburg.org.za for further details on these meetings.