Metro engages with informal traders over by-laws
The newly approved by-law aims to regulate the township economy through various policies aimed at easing registration and compliance.
Hundreds of informal traders from the city recently gathered at the Tshwane House Council Chamber for an imbizo on the new Informal Trading By-law with the Mayor and other officials.
Earlier this year, the metro approved the Informal Trading and Township Economy By-law to formalise and support small businesses, which were previously largely unregulated.
The by-law features several components aimed at producing an effective township economy. Some of these include, among other things, stricter health and safety regulations, a preference for South African citizens regarding allocations and opportunities, infrastructural support, site inspections, permit fees, and compulsory workshops.
Speaking to the traders, Dr Nasiphi Moya expressed the municipality’s aspiration to introduce a more comprehensive and developmental approach to support and regulate informal trading.
The by-law forms part of the metro’s broader economic revitalisation strategy.
It provides improved regulatory efficiency for registration and licensing, designated trading areas, health and safety standards, and fair enforcement and compliance.
Moya said they could engage directly with traders and “address concerns they may have about the city’s stance on this crucial sector”.
“Some of the support we are providing to traders is a series of workshops that help them better understand compliance and trading requirements in Tshwane.
“We have increased these workshops to two sessions a week. We are committed to fostering a conducive environment for all businesses to thrive in Tshwane,” Moya said.
In early March, the metro announced its intention to erect 60 stalls adjacent to the Tshwane Retail Market to be occupied and used by Tshwane metro residents.
Economic and Spatial Planning MMC, Sarah Mabotsa, expressed similar sentiments, saying that the metro is committed to making trading easy for informal traders, but also pleaded with traders to abide by the metro’s by-laws.
“We have a lot of informal traders across Tshwane, so we’re looking into rolling these workshops out regionally. There are seven regions in Tshwane, so we need to get this info out bit by bit.
“We want to appeal to our community leaders to take record of the traders, and where they operate, so when we arrive, no one is left behind,” Mabotsa said.
The MMC added that some of the work is already underway with the enhanced support of small, medium, and informal businesses, including skills development, infrastructure development, and enhanced services to support the informal sector.
Hundreds of informal traders gathered at the Tshwane Council Chambers. Photo: X/@nasiphim
Before and after the informal trading by-law was passed, the metro began active enforcement in high-traffic zones like Marabastad and Mabopane Station.
In these areas, hundreds of traders are being registered and moved into designated stalls to reduce ‘chaos’ and ensure only licensed businesses operate.
Physical application forms are available at the Economic Development Division or Customer Care Centres throughout the city.
When visiting an office to apply or attend a workshop, ensure you have a certified copy of your South African ID, proof of residence, specifics of your trading site (the TMPD will need to inspect this), and a health certificate (costing R638) if you are selling food.
Watch here: https://x.com/i/status/2043696155888886182.
As the part of the Executive in the @CityTshwane,we are committed to making trading easy for our informal traders. While we are making this commitment, we also want to appeal to our traders to abide by the City’s bylaws. https://t.co/RQ42h0fNUe pic.twitter.com/ZAraKV2dye
— Sarah Mabotsa (@Sarah_Mabotsa) April 13, 2026
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