Watch: ActionSA marches to GTM over informal trader treatment
ActionSA marched through Tzaneen to demand the municipality provide traders with clear reasons and written records when enforcement action is taken.
TZANEEN – ActionSA marched to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) today, Thursday, August 27, to hand over a memorandum calling for greater transparency, fairness and accountability in the municipality’s management of informal traders and small businesses.
WATCH: ActionSA members march through Tzaneen to hand over a memorandum demanding greater transparency and accountability from GTM in its treatment of informal traders.
— LetabaHerald (@HeraldLetaba) August 27, 2026
Video: Sharon Makhongele pic.twitter.com/JdFyizi82O
The memorandum raises concerns about the enforcement of street-trading regulations, the issuing of trading permits, the confiscation of traders’ stock and the allocation of municipal economic-development resources.
Clear reasons demanded for enforcement action
Among its key demands, ActionSA is calling on the municipality to provide traders with clear information whenever enforcement action is taken, including the legal basis for the action, the identity of the responsible official, the location of confiscated property, procedures for recovering goods and any applicable charges.
The party is also demanding the urgent and transparent processing of outstanding trading-permit applications. It wants the municipality to publish clear eligibility requirements, application procedures, fees, designated trading areas, processing timelines and reasons for rejected applications.
Return of confiscated stock demanded
ActionSA further wants confiscated stock returned where legal procedures were not followed or where property is being retained beyond the legally permissible period.
It is calling for traders to receive written inventories detailing seized goods, along with information on how they can be recovered.
Transparency on economic development funds
The memorandum also focuses on the municipality’s local economic development budget. ActionSA is demanding transparency around funds allocated to small-business development, informal trading, SMME support, markets and enterprise development.
The party says municipal economic opportunities should not be influenced by political affiliation, personal relationships or favouritism.
Formal trader forum and grievance system
It is also calling for a formal forum between informal traders and municipal stakeholders, including Local Economic Development officials, law enforcement, planning, traffic and environmental health representatives. Such a forum would address trading spaces, permits, infrastructure, enforcement and disputes.
Another demand is the establishment of a trader grievance and appeal mechanism, with complaints receiving reference numbers, responsible officials, response deadlines and written outcomes.
ActionSA said its demands are aimed at ensuring that informal traders are regulated into lawful and sustainable trading environments rather than simply being removed from the streets.
The memorandum concludes with a demand for transparent law enforcement and greater accountability in the municipality’s treatment of traders and small businesses.
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