TZANEEN – In an ongoing effort to restore the Tzaneen CBD to its former order, the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM), in collaboration with local law enforcement, recently carried out a clean-up operation targeting illegal street vending.

According to GTM spokesperson Vutivi Makhubele, the campaign was aimed at improving cleanliness in the town and removing illegal structures. The operation ran from Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 15.

Enforcement expands across central streets

On the first day, officials removed structures near the bus station, an area also commonly used as shelter by homeless residents. In the days that followed, the clean-up was extended to other parts of the CBD.

Streets such as Danie Joubert and Morgan streets remain among the busiest informal trading zones in Tzaneen, with vendors selling a wide range of goods, from fruit and vegetables to clothing and cellphone accessories, as well as offering services such as hairdressing and photography.

Many of these traders operate without permits, contributing to congestion and disorder in the CBD.

Trading regulations and compliance challenges

In 2024, Makhubele said that the municipality has only 75 legally demarcated trading bays within the CBD, while more than 200 traders currently operate in the area.

By law, street vendors are required to obtain a municipal trading permit and comply with regulations that include keeping their surroundings clean, avoiding obstruction of pedestrian walkways, and refraining from trading in parking areas.

The use of loudspeakers, shouting, singing, or megaphones to attract customers is also prohibited. However, these rules are frequently ignored.

Ongoing enforcement challenges

Reports suggest that some of the non-compliant traders include foreign nationals, particularly in the clothing sector.

Despite repeated enforcement operations over the years, the municipality continues to struggle with the recurring return of illegal traders shortly after clean-ups are conducted. Vendors often move back to their previous trading spots within days of removal.

Plans for formal trading spaces

The GTM has long promised to establish a dedicated trading area for legal vendors, but the project has yet to be implemented. As a result, many traders say they have no alternative but to continue operating informally.

In March this year, Tzaneen was named South Africa’s cleanest municipality. The town was recognised for its high standards of cleanliness, achieved through ongoing municipal efforts, community participation, and effective waste management practices.