Informal traders, who once lined Winnie Mandela Drive in Fourways, have disappeared, with no trading activity visible, especially near Montecasino, Dainfern Square, or all the way to Design Quarter.

Last year, traders submitted a petition to Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy, appealing for intervention after repeated removals by metro police, assisted by private security guards. One of the affected traders, Lindiwe Mothali, has since stopped trading in the area, saying she became exhausted by the constant harassment and uncertainty.

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Authorities maintain that informal trading is prohibited on provincial roads, and Winnie Mandela Drive falls under that classification. Even though there are still some traders on the road, hopeful for a positive outcome, most have relocated to a nearby property.

“It is a nice space for us to trade. It can even accommodate taxis, which are also affected because of illegal parking,” Mothali said. “I don’t know how they got the place, or whether they are paying rent, but looking at how things are, it is a good spot for us to trade. It can even be developed as a mini taxi rank for Fourways.”

Mothali explained that she ultimately gave up trading in Fourways after, what she describes as, ongoing mistreatment by officials. “It is demotivating. You leave your house with products to sell, then suddenly you are distracted, you have to fight, and at the same time you still need clients. It is so frustrating, and authorities don’t understand because they are in good positions and not on our level.”

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She added that traders were not seeking confrontation. “We were not even willing to push it further by striking. All we wanted was to sit around the table and talk until we reached an agreement, but there was no one willing to listen.”

Despite the outcome, Mothali expressed gratitude to Reddy for accepting their petition and engaging directly with traders. “He came and addressed us, and that gave us hope that maybe something would happen. That’s what I admire about him.”

However, she admits she has now moved on. “I am seeking other ways to make money. It is exhausting to keep fighting and going back and forth.”

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