ELEVEN informal traders who were previously operating illegally under the Workshop bridge have now been issued legal trading permits and relocated to the fully serviced Centrum site. The site behind the mall has shelters, 24-hour security, and cleaning services, the City of eThekwini reported.

“The eThekwini Municipality’s ongoing efforts to promote compliance through education, support, and enforcement have paid off. There was relief and excitement when these traders were called on stage during the fourth eThekwini Informal Traders Summit, held at the ICC. They expressed joy at finally operating within the law, free from fear of police confiscations,” said Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson of eThekwini.

Also read: Informal traders to enjoy customer-friendly spaces in Durban

Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, councillor Thembo Ntuli, said this marks “enforcement turning into empowerment and restoring dignity to those who contribute daily to the City’s economy”.

He added: “We don’t want to confiscate anyone’s goods, but by-laws must be respected as open spaces belong to all and pedestrians have the right to walk freely.”

Also read: Informal traders inject billions into eThekwini

The summit brought together traders, stakeholders, and City leaders for engagement and collaboration, as well as to review informal traders’ by-laws. The City committed R375m over the next three years to improve trading infrastructure.

The City indicated that the projects in the pipeline included small business centres, container parks in Sibusiso Mdakane and Umlazi BB, the Berea Herbs Market, the Warwick Bovine Head Market upgrade, the Dalton Hostel Art and Craft Hive, and an automotive hub in KwaMashu.

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