Flea markets are not allowed to trade – Tshwane
Any flea markets operating during the lockdown were in violation of the regulations.
Flea markets are not allowed to operate during national lockdown level 4.
The City of Tshwane has warned markets against opening following announcements made by a few markets alerting their customers that doors would be open.
Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said any flea market operating during the lockdown was in violation of the regulations.
“Flea markets are not allowed to open under national state of disaster alert level 4: section 27 (2) of the disaster management act 57 of 2002 (“The Regulations”) on 29 April,” he said.
He said flea markets were considered as informal traders, similar to street vendors and hawkers as they normally do not operate from a permanent structure.
“In terms of the City of Tshwane’s informal trading by-law, a flea market is categorised as an informal trading business,” he said.
“Informal traders should not be operating during this period.”
Mashigo said places, where people may gather, were prohibited, these included swimming pools, flea markets, casinos, hotels and lodges, taverns, cinemas, and museums.
“The Covid-19 regulations will be compromised as people will be crowding. There will also be preparation of food, which is not acceptable,” he said.
“The non-adherence of social distancing will also contribute to the spread of Covid-19.”
Under normal circumstance, Mashigo said the metro would be empowered to issue licenses and permits to hawkers and markets after a process which included the attendance of a compulsory by-law awareness workshop and site inspections.
“There is no difference between a food or flea market and a lady selling veggies in the street as per the national lockdown regulations level 4 and therefore none should be operational,” he said.
The Ouklip venue familie mark which started operating this past weekend said its doors would remain open.
Madeleen Snoer said the business was not operating as a market, but as a relief initiative as it was registered as an NPO.
“We are still going to do business. I have got an NPO permit for initial relief,” she said.
“I have received my informal business permit as well from the Gauteng provincial government.”
The Hazel food market announced a week ago that it would open its doors and was in possession of the correct permits to operate.
Market owner Gerhard Scholtz has since withdrawn from the opening siting that no agreement was reached between them and the Brooklyn police.
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