City of Joburg mayor Dada Morero has confirmed that the recently launched verification process for informal traders has seen more than 2,800 new applications.

However, the mayor revealed that only 160 informal traders have been fully registered and authorised to continue operating in Johannesburg’s inner city.

On Tuesday, Morero addressed the media after the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, set a deadline of November 18 for the city to formalise the verification process fully.

This comes after the same court gave the city a firm order to speedily “verify and process” the registration of informal traders who were recently removed from their trading stalls in the city centre.

The Metro was given 21 days to finalise its verification process after informal traders, through the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), took the municipality to court.

Last month, ahead of the court case, tensions rose after more than 500 street vendors were prohibited from trading due to non-compliance with regulations.

According to the city, most of the affected informal traders were illegally trading in the city centre as they had no documents to legalise their stay in the country. The new process now includes the issuing of smart cards to enforce compliance.

“We are now issuing smart cards today for 44 of the 161. The rest of the balance will be issued with their smart card by Friday, and they will be allocated to their stalls. So, the allocation starts immediately as of today so that they can start trading,” he stated.

Morero said the city will no longer tolerate those who illegally sublet their trading stalls, saying those found guilty of this practice will be dealt with legally.

“Subletting of trading stalls is not legal. We have declared subletting illegal. So, it is not allowed, and if you sublet, you run the risk of forfeiting your license…The High Court gave us 14 days, but we have completed the process. So, there is no excuse,” he said.

Morero said his administration is happy with the recent ruling, which has reinforced the city’s stance that the informal economy should benefit locals.

He added that for the process to fully succeed, locals must be given a chance to ensure that informal traders operate legally and proudly, as this will also allow businesses to invest with confidence, where residents move freely, and those who walk the streets feel safe.

“The order was issued to ensure fair allocation of trading spaces and to restore order to high-density trading areas. The city immediately initiated a structured verification process, supported by Economic Development officials, to confirm the authenticity of traders and accelerate the issuance of lawful permits,” he said.

Echoing the mayor’s sentiments, MMC for economic development in the city, Nomoya Mnisi, said the city has approached the Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) to investigate the involvement of syndicates who are collecting funds from informal traders.

“We have asked GFIS to investigate people who are collecting money from traders. With regards to extensions, the two legal teams from SERI and the city will be meeting, even though the date has not been confirmed. It was agreed that after the verification process, we will convene, and SERI will have to indicate how they feel about implementing the terms of the agreement,” she said.

Edward Molopi, who represented informal traders during the court case, said SERI is yet to get feedback from its members on the next step.

“We are still checking with the team on the process and what this means for our members. We will then advise on the feedback given,” he stated.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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